The country’s consumption of vegetable oils – including palm oil and soyoil – has trebled over the last 20 years as the population grew and incomes rose, while output has increased by less than a third.
Now, the government plans to create an oilseed fund by imposing the 5% surcharge, or cess, that will be used to help Indian farmers step up oilseed production, said the sources, who did not wish to be identified in line with government policy.
Palm oil accounts for two-thirds of …
