Commodity Online
MUMBAI: The Solvent extraction industry has sought a package for the overall development of the oilseeds sector in the country.

The Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEAI) has sought this package in a letter to the Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, the Food and Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, and the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Mr Subodh Kant Sahai.

The package would encourage production and productivity to meet the growing demand for cooking oils and reduce dependence on imports.

SEAI President, Mr Ashok Sethia, said though the solvent extractors had pleaded for a package during Budget, none of the issues raised by them had not been addressed.

The industry had pleaded for establishment of Oilseeds Development Fund to raise production and productivity.

It had sought weighted income tax deduction for Oilseed Extension Programme; declaring oil palm as plantation crop like tea, coffee to help the industry invest in agricultural land for growing the oil crop; and amending the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act for free movement of agricultural produce.

These issues have not been addressed in the budget. The oilseed sector required attention since the country could not be heavily depend on imports of cooking oils, as it is now.