NITI Aayog Advocates for GM Edible Oils and Clear Labeling to Achieve Self-Reliance

India’s dependence on edible oil imports has been a vulnerability, with 55–60% of its demand met through imports, costing the nation ₹1.5 lakh crore annually. In this regard, NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand has revived the debate on genetically modified (GM) technology in oilseed cultivation. Chand argues that GM crops could be the key to achieving self-sufficiency by 2030 ideated under National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds)

The Urgency for GM Adoption – Announced By NITI Aayog

India’s oilseed productivity has lagged for decades. For instance, soybean yields have remained at 1–1.2 tons per hectare since the 1970s. While GM-adopting nations like the U.S. and Brazil stays at now average 3–4 tons. Chand emphasized that GM crops like herbicide-tolerant (HT) mustard (DMH-11) could boost yields by 70–80%, slashing imports and saving foreign exchange. This aligns with the government’s ₹11,000 crore NMEO-Oilseeds initiative, aiming to raise domestic edible oil production from 11 million tons to 25.45 million tons by 2030–31. However, BT cotton remains India’s only approved GM crop, with GM mustard entangled in legal challenges over biosafety concerns.

Key Arguments for GM Adoption in Edible Oils

NITI Aayog’s push for genetically modified (GM) oilseeds hinges on addressing India’s chronic yield stagnation and soaring import dependency. With soybean productivity frozen at 1–1.2 tonnes per hectare since the 1970s—far below the 3–4 tonnes in GM-adopting nations like the U.S. and Brazil—advocates argue that herbicide-tolerant (HT) mustard and similar GM varieties could boost yields by 70–80%, slashing the ₹1.5 lakh crore annual import bill. GM technology also promises climate resilience, critical for rain-fed regions constituting 70% of India’s oilseed acreage, while genome-edited crops—facing fewer regulatory hurdles—offer a parallel pathway to scale production under the National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO-Oilseeds). Mandatory GM labeling is required to ensure transparency, addressing consumer skepticism and aligning with global standards. Together, these measures aim to transform India from the world’s largest edible oil importer into a self-reliant producer by 2030.

The Labelling Importance – NITI Aayog Shares

While advocating for GM crops, Chand stressed the need for mandatory GM food labeling to ensure consumer transparency. Critics argue that India lacks robust mechanisms to track GM ingredients in processed foods, raising ethical and health concerns. Clear labeling frameworks, as seen in the EU and U.S., could build public trust while allowing informed choices.