Technology Mission on Oilseeds, Pulses and Maize
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 1995-96 respectively. In addition the National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development (NOVOD) Board also supplement 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:
- Oilseeds Production Programme(OPP)
- National Pulses Development Project (NPDP)
- Accelerated Maize Development Programme (AMDP) - External website that opens in a new window
- Post Harvest Technology (PHT)
- Oil Palm Development Programme (OPDP) and
- National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board (NOVOD) - External website that opens in a new window
Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize
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 schemes of Oilseeds Production Programme, Oil Palm Development Programme, National Pulses Development Project and Accelerated Maize Development Programme of Ninth Plan have been merged into one Centrally Sponsored Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (IPOPOM) - External website that opens in a new window during the 10th Five Year Plan which is being implemented with effect from 11th April, 2004. The scheme is being implemented by 14 major growing States for oilseeds and pulses and 15 States for Maize and in 10 States for oil palm.
The ISOPOM has the following special features:
- Flexibility to the States to utilize the funds for the scheme/crop of their choice
- Annual action plan to the formulated by the State Governments for consideration and approval of the Government of India
- Flexibility to the States for introducing innovative measures or any special component to the extent of 10 per cent of financial allocation
- Involvement of private sector by the State Governments for the implementation of the programme with a financial cap of 15 per cent
- Flexibility for inter component diversion of funds upto 20 per cent for non-seed components only and
- Diversion of funds from seed components to non-seed components with the prior approval of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation.
Implementation of oilseeds production programme helped in increasing the production of oilseeds from 108.30 lakh tonnes in 1985-86 to 288.26 (IV Adv. Est.) lakh tonnes during 2007-08. The pulses production in the country increased from 128.60 lakh in 1989-90 to 151.12 (IV Adv. Est.) lakh tonnes in 2007-08.
The area under Oil palm increased from 8585 ha. at the end of 1992-93 to 91111 ha. upto 2006-07. Actual production of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs) during 2006-07 was 256714 tonnes yielding around 42092 tonnes of Crude Palm Oil (CPO). The production of maize increased from 88.84 lakh tones in 1994-95 to 193.10 lakh tonnes (IV Adv. Estimates) in 2007-08.
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.
Source: National Portal Content Management Team, Reviewed on: 31-03-2009 
