Lok Sabha Question No. 4369 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-19
Subject: Production of Soybean and Maize
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Kaushalendra Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  4369

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  AUGUST, 2025

## PRODUCTION OF SOYBEAN AND MAIZE

## 4369. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Soybean and Maize production is not meeting country's needs;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to give special exemption for importing soybean and maize from the US;
- (d) if so, the reasons therefore; and
- (e) whether importing Soybean and Maize is likely to harm Indian farmers?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a ) & (b):  The country achieved a record in the production of soybean at 151.80 lakh tonnes and maize production of 422.81 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 (as per the 3rd Advance Estimate), marking an year-on-year increase of 21.18 and 46.16 lakh tonnes, respectively. During 201415 to 2024-25, soybean production rose by 46.32% (from 103.74 to 151.80 lakh tonnes), while maize production grew by 74.91% (from 241.73 to 422.81 lakh tonnes). The data on soybean and maize production trends is provided at Annexure I

The  domestic  production  of  edible  oils  in  the  country  is  not  enough  to  meet  the  rising domestic demand and the country has to rely on imports, which is around 55% of its total requirement.  Consistent  efforts  are  being  made  to  achieve  self-sufficiency  in  oilseeds (including soybean). National Mission on Edible Oils- Oilseeds has allocated Rs 10,103.38 crore to boost oilseed production to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31 from present 42.6 million tonnes in 2024-25 (3rd Advance Estimate).

India has generally been a net exporter of maize. However, in 2024-25, India's maize exports were minimal, marking an exception to its usual exporter status.

(c) & (d):  Government of India is actively involved in the discussions on the India-USA Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the Government of the United States with the aim to expand trade and investment and deepening of the India-US trade relationship to promote growth that ensures fairness, national security and job creation. The ongoing discussions are focused  on  an  integrated  approach  to  strengthen  and  deepen  bilateral  trade  by  mutually increasing market access, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and deepening supply chain integration.

Further, the livelihood interests of our farmers and requirements of food security have always been paramount for the Government while negotiating trade agreements with our international partners, including the US.

(e):  Every  year,  the  Central  Government  fixes  Minimum  Support  Prices  (MSPs)  for  22 mandated  agricultural  crops  based  on  the  recommendations  of  the  Commission  for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP), after considering the views of the State Governments and Central Ministries/Departments concerned to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce. Soybean and Maize are included in the 22 mandated agricultural crops.

Further, India implements several programs to boost soybean and maize production, notably the National Mission on Edible Oils - Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) and the National Food Security Mission (NFSM). These initiatives aim to enhance the area under cultivation, production, and productivity by adopting multiple strategies, including the supply of quality seeds, promotion of improved agricultural technologies, and ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers.

Crop

Maize

Soybe an

Season

Kharif

Rabi

Summer

Total

Kharif

Total

Production

2014-15

170.14

71.59

241.73

103.74

103.74

Data for the year 2024-25 is of 3rd Advance Estimates

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Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW)

All India: Crop-wise Production

## Annexure I