NMEO-OP: Five years on, what has India got back?
India’s NMEO-OP has expanded oil palm cultivation by 2.73 lakh hectares between FY2021-22 and FY2025-26, taking the country’s cumulative oil palm area to 6.40 lakh hectares as of March 31, 2026. The mission, with an approved outlay of ₹11,040 crore, is now being assessed for its realised economic returns rather than plantation expansion alone.
My earlier article, “Unlocking the Full Potential of NMEO-OP 2.0” on 8 August 2026, examined the way forward for India’s oil-palm mission. This article moves from expansion to economic return.
It is to examine the realised economic impact of National Mission on Edible Oils- Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) during FY2021-22 to FY2025-26—not the lifetime return of oil-palm plantations, and not India’s entire pre-existing oil-palm economy. Production from plantations established before NMEO-OP is not attributed to the mission. The analysis uses official Government data wherever available; derived estimates are transparently calculated, while field inputs are used where consolidated official data are unavailable and cross-checked wherever possible.
Hectares are not the only measure of return. Latest government assessment shows that 2.73 lakh hectares were brought under oil palm during FY2021-22 to FY2025-26, taking cumulative area to 6.40 lakh hectares as on 31 March 2026. The mission had an approved outlay of ₹11,040 crore.
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Source : The Hindu Businessline
