Date:09/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/12/09/stories/2005120902291200.htm

Back Call to promote rice bran oil

Ch.R.S. Sarma

Kakinada , Dec. 8

RICE bran oil needs to be promoted aggressively if the country has to reduce import dependence for edible oils and also in view of its intrinsic worth, according to Mr A.R. Sharma, President of the Solvent Extractors' Association of India.

Mr Sharma, who was here to participate in a seminar on rice bran exports from Kakinada port, said in an interview that 45 per cent of the edible oil requirement in the country (11 million tonnes) was being met by imports and "it is estimated to cross 15 mt by 2010 and 20 mt by 2015, assuming 4 per cent increase in per capita consumption and a population growth of 1.9 per cent.''

The per hectare yield of oilseeds in India was hardly 900 kg against the world average of 1,400 kg and "therefore, unless there is an increase in yields or area of cultivation, which is unlikely, we cannot bridge the gap. We have to depend on edible grade rice bran oil.''

Mr Sharma said there was a potential of 12 lakh tonnes but only 7 lakh tonnes of rice bran oil was being produced, of which 5 lakh tonnes of oil was being mixed with vanaspati and only 1.5 lakh tonnes being sold as refined rice bran oil. The rest (50,000 tonnes) was being used as commercial grade oil.

``In fact, the oil is being accepted by the consumer in brands such as Suffola Gold and Sundrop Hot. In some of the brands, rice bran oil is being used to the extent of 80-90 per cent. It is necessary to educate the consumers and sell the oil more aggressively,'' he said.

He wanted the support of the Government for the purpose.