<h4>Introduction to NMEO-Oilseeds</h4><p>The <strong>National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)</strong> is a key initiative launched by the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare</strong>. Its primary objective is to significantly enhance <strong>domestic oilseed production</strong>.</p><p>This strategic focus aims to reduce India's substantial dependency on <strong>edible oil imports</strong>, a long-standing economic challenge.</p><div class="key-point-box">The mission aligns with the broader national goal of <strong>Atmanirbhar Oilseeds</strong>, promoting self-reliance in the crucial edible oil sector.</div><p><strong>NMEO-Oilseeds</strong> specifically targets boosting both <strong>primary oilseed production</strong> (from traditional oilseed crops) and <strong>secondary oilseed production</strong> (from sources like cotton seeds, rice bran, etc.) across the country.</p><h4>Concerns Regarding Edible Oil Imports</h4><p>The <strong>Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA)</strong> has raised significant concerns regarding the rising trend of <strong>refined edible oil imports</strong>, particularly from <strong>Nepal</strong>.</p><p>This situation emerged after <strong>India increased import duties on edible oils in 2024</strong>, intended to protect domestic producers and reduce imports.</p><div class="info-box"><strong>Mechanism of Concern:</strong> Nepalese refiners import large quantities of <strong>crude oil</strong> and then export it onward to India at lower prices. This is facilitated through the <strong>South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA)</strong> agreement, which allows for duty-free trade.</div><p>This practice severely impacts <strong>Indian refiners</strong> and <strong>domestic oilseed farmers</strong>, undermining the effectiveness of India's import duty hike.</p><h4>SEA Recommendations for Import Policy</h4><p>To address these challenges and protect domestic interests, the <strong>SEA</strong> has put forth several crucial recommendations for India's import policy:</p><ul><li><strong>Restrict Duty-Free Imports:</strong> India should restrict <strong>duty-free edible oil imports</strong> from <strong>SAFTA nations</strong> that do not possess significant domestic oilseed production capabilities.</li><li><strong>Amend SAFTA:</strong> There is a strong recommendation to <strong>amend the SAFTA agreement</strong> itself. The goal is to prevent the <strong>dumping of agro-commodities</strong>, which distorts domestic markets.</li><li><strong>Introduce Minimum Import Price (MIP):</strong> Implement a <strong>Minimum Import Price (MIP)</strong> for edible oils. This MIP should be based on the <strong>Minimum Support Price (MSP)</strong> of domestic oilseeds.</li></ul><div class="exam-tip-box"><strong>UPSC Insight:</strong> Understanding the interplay between domestic agricultural policies (like NMEO-Oilseeds, MSP, import duties) and international trade agreements (SAFTA) is crucial for questions on economy, agriculture, and international relations.</div><p>The introduction of an <strong>MIP</strong> is designed to protect <strong>Indian farmers</strong> from <strong>predatory import pricing</strong>, ensuring fair competition and stable incomes in the domestic market.</p>