The Technology Mission on Oilseeds was launched by the Central Government in 1986 to increase the production of oilseeds to reduce import and achieve self-sufficiency in edible oils. Subsequently pulses, oil palm and maize were also brought within the purview of the Mission in 1990-91, 1992 and 1995-96respectively. In addition the National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development (NOVOD) Board is also supplementing the efforts of TMOP by opening of newer areas for non-traditional oilseeds. It is promoting tree-borne oilseeds. The schemes implemented under TMOP are:

1. Oilseeds Production Programme(OPP)
2. National Pulses Development Project (NPDP)
3. Accelerated Maize Development Programme (AMDP)
4. Post Harvest Technology (PHT)
5. Oil Palm Development Programme (OPDP) and
6. National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board (NOVOD)

During the Tenth Plan these schemes have been restructured as:

1. Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) by converging the ongoing schemes of OPP, NPDP, AMDP and OPDP

2. Research and Development in Post Harvest and Processing Technology (PHT) in Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize including TMOP Headquarter and

3. Integrated Development of Tree Borne Oilseeds to be implemented by NOVOD Board.

Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) : In order to provide flexibility to the States in implementation based on regionally differentiated approach, to promote crop diversification and to provide focused approach to the programmes, the four on-going schemes of OPP, OPDP, NPDP, and AMDP have been merged into one Centrally Sponsored Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) during the 10th Five year Plan which is being implemented with effect from 1 April 2004. The scheme is being implemented in 14 major oilseeds and pulses growing States for oilseeds and pulses and 15 major maize growing states for Maize and in 10 states for oil palm.

The ISOPOM has the following special features:

1. Flexibility to the States to utilise the funds for the scheme/crop of their choice

2. Annual action plan to be formulated by the State Governments for consideration and approval of the Government of India

3. Flexibility to the State for introducing innovative measures or any special component to the extent of 10 per cent of financial allocation

4. Involvement of private sector by the State Governments for the implementation of the programme with a financial cap of 15 per cent

5. Flexibility for inter-component diversion of funds up to 20 per cent for non-seed components only and

6. Diversion of funds from seed components to non-seed components with prior approval of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation.

New components of ISOPOM included during 10th Plan are:

1. Inclusion of HDPE pipes

2. Publicity

3. Involvement of Private Sector including NGOs, Farmers’ Organisation, Cooperative bodies, Public Sector Agencies, etc

4. Innovative measures and additional components

5. Training of Officers/Extension workers and

6. Foreign Visits.

The Technology Mission laid emphasise on development of Post Harvest Technology (PHT) with the following objectives:

1. Optimising oil recovery from oilseeds by developing efficient modern oil expellers
2. Tapping full potential of Rice Bran Oil (RBO) - in the country
3. Developing value added products in respect of oilseeds, pulses and maize so that farmers are able to get a better/remunerative price
4. Designing and developing indigenous technology for processing of non conventional and tree borne oilseeds including oil palm
5. Developing of indigenous technology in maize processing suitable in the context of Indian situation and
6. Dissemination of the R&D Technologies developed through demonstration programmes.

The indigenous technologies developed through R&D programmes were popularised by setting up demonstration units in industries with partial grant-in aid assistance from the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation. The partial grant-in-aid assistance was provided in the form of plant and machinery. The scheme has been discontinued from 2005-06 by the Planning Commission.

Integrated Development of Tree Borne Oilseed by NOVOD Board : National Oilseed and Vegetable Oils Development (NOVOD) Board is exploring and augmenting the potential of Tree Borne Oilseeds (TBOs) in the country by undertaking activities like back-ended credit-linked subsidy programmes consisting of establishment of seed procurement centres, installation of multi-purpose preprocessing and processing facilities, installation of oil expellers, nursery raising and commercial plantation and promotional programmes like development of elite planting material, elite nursery raising and plantation, awareness programmes, establishment of TBO garden, etc.

The Board has initiated plantation programmes of Jatropha curcas, and karanja (Pongamia pinnata) for bio-diesel production in the country in more than 10,000 ha. areas in the 25 States/Union Territories of the country. Besides 128 TBO gardens have also been established to demonstrate the silvicultural practices coupled with IPM for early adoption of TBO plantation in 12 States. Further, transfer of technology programmes consisting of 136 farmer's training, 48 trainer's training and 22 workshops have also been organised for motivating farmers to adopt TBO plantation and create awareness among primary seed collectors. The elite planting material and planting techniques as well as location specific package of practices are being evolved through a national network of 42 R&D institutions in the country.

Under the awareness programme, 2300 farmers have been trained and motivated for raising TBOs by conducting 46 farmer's training in the various States. Similarly, 600 field level functionary and volunteers have been trained through 12 trainer's training programme. Eight oil expellers have been installed in the State of A.P., Bihar, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Six more oil expellers are being installed for extraction of oil from TBOs.