NMEO OP Guidelines for National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm are available to download in PDF format at nmeo.dac.gov.in. National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2021 to boost edible oilseed production and oil availability in the country by expanding the oil palm area, raising Crude Palm Oil (CPO) output, and cutting the import burden on edible oils.
The scheme is under implementation in 15 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. As on 31.03.2026, an additional 2.73 lakh hectares has been brought under oil palm cultivation, taking the total area to 6.40 lakh hectares.
National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO OP)
India imports around 9 million tonnes of palm oil every year, which is roughly 56% of the total edible oil imports. The mission works on two main focus areas: giving farmers an assured price for Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs) through the Viability Price (VP), and raising the support given for inputs and interventions.
For the first time, the Government of India is giving a price assurance to oil palm farmers for their FFBs. This Viability Price protects farmers from swings in international CPO prices. The VP has been declared at ₹10,516 per tonne for 2021-22, ₹13,346 per tonne for 2022-23, ₹13,652 per tonne for 2023-24, ₹14,489 per tonne for 2024-25, and ₹15,488 per tonne for 2025-26.
Support for planting material has also gone up from ₹12,000 per hectare to ₹29,000 per hectare. Extra help is given for maintenance and inter-cropping, and a special assistance of ₹250 per plant is provided for rejuvenation of old gardens.
Targets of the Mission
The mission has set clear targets for oil palm area expansion and CPO production over the coming years. These targets guide the work of the states and the central agencies involved.
- To increase the oil palm area to 10 lakh hectares from 3.5 lakh hectares during 2019-20 by 2025-26, with an additional 6.50 lakh hectares. The target for general states is 3.22 lakh hectares and 3.28 lakh hectares for North Eastern states, with a targeted FFB production of 66.00 lakh tonnes.
- To raise Crude Palm Oil production from 0.27 lakh tonnes during 2019-20 to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26 and 28 lakh tonnes by 2029-30.
- To increase consumer awareness and maintain the consumption level of 19.00 kg per person per annum till 2025-26.
Progress Under the Mission
The mission has made steady progress in expanding oil palm cultivation and strengthening the supply chain. Between 2021-22 and 2025-26, a total of 114.66 lakh tonnes of Fresh Fruit Bunches were harvested, which produced 20.10 lakh tonnes of Crude Palm Oil.
There are currently 27 operational oil palm processing mills with a combined capacity of 918.5 TPH across the country. Two new processing mills with 15 TPH capacity have been set up in Arunachal Pradesh by Patanjali Foods Ltd. and 3F Oil Palm Pvt. Ltd. A total of 153 seed nurseries with an annual production capacity of 500.43 lakh planting materials have been established, and 47 additional nurseries were approved during FY 2025-26.
The Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive during 2023-24 and 2024-25 benefited more than 22,500 farmers and covered about 21,000 hectares with plantation of over 30 lakh saplings. During FY 2025-26, the drive covered 66,837 hectares with the plantation of 95.58 lakh saplings. The Government of India has released ₹18.90 crore under the Viability Gap Payment (VGP) scheme, benefiting 9,244 oil palm farmers in Goa, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Mizoram.
How to Download the Guidelines PDF
The operational guidelines of NMEO-OP are available on the official website of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Farmers and state departments can download the PDF directly from the site.
STEP 1 - Go to the official website at nmeo.dac.gov.in and open the homepage.
STEP 2 - Look for the 'Circulars' or 'Guidelines' section on the site, where the NMEO-OP guidelines PDF is listed.
STEP 3 - Click on the link for the NMEO-OP guidelines PDF and download it to your device for reference.
Highlights of NMEO OP
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) |
| Launched By | Government of India (Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) |
| Launched In | 2021-22 |
| Beneficiaries | Oil palm farmers in 15 states |
| Financial Outlay | ₹11,040 crore |
| Application Mode | Through state agriculture departments |
| Official Website | nmeo.dac.gov.in |
FAQ's
Is the NMEO OP scheme still running?
Yes, the scheme is under implementation in 15 states. As on 31.03.2026, the cumulative oil palm area has reached 6.40 lakh hectares, and the mission continues to expand cultivation and processing infrastructure.
Where can I download the NMEO OP guidelines PDF?
The guidelines PDF is available on the official website at nmeo.dac.gov.in under the Circulars or Guidelines section.
What is the Viability Price for oil palm farmers?
The Viability Price for Fresh Fruit Bunches has been declared at ₹15,488 per tonne for 2025-26. This protects farmers from swings in international Crude Palm Oil prices.
Which states are covered under NMEO OP?
The scheme is being implemented in 15 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.