Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Applauds Increased Import Duty on Edible Oils

• Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan welcomed the decision to increase the import duty on edible oils from zero to 20%.
• Chouhan emphasized the move as a significant step for farmers’ welfare.
• He also welcomed the removal of the minimum export duty on Basmati rice and the increase in basic duty on refined oil to 32.5%.
• Chouhan hoped that this move would benefit all oilseed farmers, especially soya bean and green gram farmers, and ensure good prices for their crops.
• Chouhan also noted the removal of the minimum export duty on Basmati rice to help farmers, resulting in increased demand for Basmati rice and exports.
• The government has also reduced the export duty on onion from 40% to 20%, benefiting onion farmers and related sectors.
• The Union Consumer Affairs Ministry has expanded the retail sale of onion to e-commerce platforms, outlets of Kendriya Bhandar and SAFAL, and adopted bulk sales strategies to ensure affordable prices.
• The government plans to extend wholesale disposal of onion in major cities, with plans to extend to Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and all state capitals.