By Prof Arun Tiwari
Food must be cooked, and cooking oils play a crucial role in enhancing the flavour and texture of food. Different cultures have developed various sautéing, frying, and grilling techniques to add richness and depth of flavour. Besides, edible oils are a significant source of dietary fats essential for energy production.
Fats provide a higher calorie density per gram than carbohydrates or proteins, making them critical for energy needs, particularly during high activity or growth periods. Edible oils also provide fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Sunflower oil is emerging as a healthy cooking medium due to its high smoke point, low saturated fat content, and high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) like linoleic acid. Rich in antioxidants, sunflower oil promotes skin health and strengthens the immune system. No wonder the global edible oils market is over US$130 billion, and India alone consumes US$40 billion. However, India’s domestic production of edible oils falls short of meeting its consumption needs. The primary reasons for this gap include the limited area under oilseed cultivation, low productivity, and the predominance of traditional farming practices.
Major oilseeds like groundnut, mustard, and sunflower are cultivated, but the yields remain comparatively lower than those in other leading oilseed-producing nations. Factors such as climate change, erratic monsoons, and land degradation further exacerbate the productivity challenges facing Indian oilseed farmers. The country imports nearly 60 percent of its edible oil requirements, primarily from Indonesia, Malaysia, Argentina, Brazil, Russia, and Ukraine. Why can’t it be from the neighbouring continent across the Indian Ocean? Africa, a continent rich in biodiversity and natural resources, can be the demand-supply bridge for the populous Indian state for the mutual benefit.
The vast Indian Agriculture Scientific Establishment can support African farmers, and the Indian industry can invest in cultivating and extracting oilseeds like groundnut, sunflower, and soybean. Together, they can become the hub of the global cooking oil market. If interdependence is the essence of a peaceful and prosperous international
order, India and Africa are the best partners.
They can spread a sense of oneness by providing the world with their cooking medium, while meeting a crucial need of humanity, and they can create prosperity for millions of smallholder farmers and industry workers in Africa. Not only does Africa have significant potential to grow oilseeds, but it has also been growing them. Soybeans are popular in South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, and Mozambique. Groundnut is grown in West African countries like Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria, as well as parts of Eastern and Southern Africa.
Sesame is cultivated in Sudan, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. Cottonseed is grown in Egypt, Mali, and South Africa. Limited cultivation of canola and flaxseed happens in regions with cooler climates, such as parts of South Africa and Ethiopia. Nigeria is the leading producer of palm oil, followed by Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Tanzania leads the sunflower cultivation in Africa thanks to its warm temperatures and moderate rainfall. Sunflowers require full sun and can tolerate drought, making them suitable for many African climates. Well-drained, loamy soils with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5 are ideal for sunflower cultivation. Soil fertility can be improved with organic matter and fertilisers. Besides Tanzania, sunflower cultivation is common in Zimbabwe and Sudan and can be scaled up.
The era of exporting raw commodities must end in Africa. Although the cashew grown in Africa is the best in the world, it is processed outside, and most of the profits go to Vietnam, for example. Africa may set up an oilseed extraction industry with local expertise. Over the years, oilseed extraction technology has significantly improved the’ efficiency, yield, and quality of oil extraction processes. The need for higher productivity, sustainability, and quality in the edible oil industry
has driven these technologies. Oil extraction typically involves cleaning, dehulling, grinding, and pressing or solvent extraction. Newer biotechnologies are very effective in improving oleic acid content, which leads to improved stability and longer shelf life for oils.
The recent efforts of the Indian government, including a billion-dollar programme to double domestic edible oil production, have highlighted the urgency of achieving self-sufficiency in this crucial commodity. However, India cannot achieve edible oil security in isolation. To bridge the production gap, a promising opportunity lies in building strategic partnerships with East African nations, particularly in cultivating sunflower, a key oilseed crop with tremendous potential. This would be a win-win situation for both sides. As both regions face challenges related to food security and nutritional deficiencies, collaboration in oilseed production can enhance food security in India while supporting African farmers. Engaging African smallholder farmers in the oilseed value chain can ensure inclusive economic growth.
Indian partnerships can provide access to credit, markets, and resources to empower local communities. Cooperative models, like “Dhara” in India, would allow farmers to collectively market oilseeds, improving their bargaining power and financial stability. Indian companies can invest in establishing processing facilities in Africa for oilseeds, creating value-added products such as refined oils and meals, and generating employment opportunities.
The potential for the edible oil sector in Africa is immense. By infusion of technology, investment, and cooperative movement, Africa can become the edible oil continent of the global supply chains while fostering sustainable agrarian development, increasing economic growth, and enhancing food security. What is needed is a vision, political will, and support of financial institutions like the AfriExim Bank, the Indian Exim Bank and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Arun Tiwari is an Indian missile scientist, author, and Professor.