Experts Discuss Cottonseed’s Role in Boosting Edible Oil Security

Rapid Summary

• Event: the 6th ‘Cottonseed, Oil and Meal Conclave-2025’ was held in Vijayawada, jointly organized by SEA and AICOSCA.
• Theme: “Revitalising Cottonseed: Growth pathways for Oil, Meal, and Beyond.”
• Purpose: Focus on untapped potential of cottonseed to enhance edible oil security, livestock feed industry, and rural economy.
• Topics Discussed: Cotton cultivation practices, innovative oil extraction processes, nutrition benefits of cottonseed oil/meal, risk management strategies, packaging technology advancements.
• Concern Highlighted: Alarm raised over a 9.8% decline in cotton acreage during 2024-25; emphasis on increasing value extraction from cottonseed production.
• Awards Presented: Shri Nilesh Patel Innovation awards for research breakthroughs in sustainability and nutritional advancements related to cottonseed.
• Production Potential: Current annual production of cottonseed oil stands at about 11.5 to 12 lakh tonnes; potential output estimated at 18 lakh tonnes.
• Key Attendees: Over 300 delegates including scientists, policymakers like MLA Dhulipalli Narendra, researchers from ICAR-CIRCOT Mumbai & Khadi Commission officials.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The conclave underscores the strategic importance of maximizing India’s underutilized agricultural resources like cottonseed to tackle challenges such as edible oil imports dependency (presently meaningful) while bolstering the rural economy through better utilization of byproducts like feed meals.Recognizing this potential can fuel self-reliance goals amidst rising global food commodity uncertainties.

Tho current yields are below capacity due to declining land use for cotton cultivation (9.8% drop), discussions aligning technological innovation with practical policies could unlock its latent promise-reducing imports while enhancing GDP contributions-providing scope for both livelihood generation and enduring agriculture practices across India’s semi-rural pockets.

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