India’s farmers hold key to self-reliance in edible oils
By Rajendra Jadhav
and Mayank Bhardwaj / Reuters, MUMBAI and NEW DELHI
Indian farmer Shingara Singh has grown grain for 35 years and is one of thousands of protesters against agricultural reforms who have the power to help slash a huge annual bill of US$10 billion for imports of vegetable oils.
Yet Singh, 55, said that he would only switch to growing oilseeds, such as rapeseed and sunflower, on his 6 hectare plot in the northern state of Punjab if the government promises guaranteed rates for his produce.
“Sometimes we grow sunflower, but we don’t get to sell it at the MSP,” said Singh, referring to the Minimum Support Price (MSP) the government pays for his rice and wheat.