Govt launches campaign to reduce edible oil consumption
Published: May 19, 2026
By TIOLCorplaws News Service
NEW DELHI, MAY 19, 2026: UNION Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, took major decisions yesterday to give administrative shape to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for frugality, resource conservation, and self-reliance. In a review meeting with officials, measures were set for savings, fuel conservation, power control, virtual working, and reducing government expenditure. On the other hand, the officials also took a collective pledge not to buy gold for a year, except in special family circumstances.
Amidst global challenges and a changing economic environment, the central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is giving the message that, in the national interest, the government itself will initiate restraint and savings. In this direction, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a major meeting with officials from the Agriculture Department, Rural Development Department, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Agricultural Education and Land Resources Department, and took several decisions that will have a positive impact on all three levels – governance, society, and agriculture.
The most important message emerged from the meeting held today at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, when the officers, on the call of Union Minister Shivraj Singh, collectively decided that for the next one year, they will not buy gold except in circumstances like a daughter's marriage or any special family occasion. This decision is more of a voluntary moral-social resolution than a formal government order, which Shivraj Singh Chouhan termed as a serious response to the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and an example of personal restraint in the national interest.
At the administrative level, it was decided that the two upcoming zonal conferences in Guwahati and Visakhapatnam will no longer be held in physical mode, but instead will be held virtually. This will reduce travel, accommodation, venue, logistics, and other related expenses, while also maintaining the process of dialogue and review with states and stakeholders.
Energy conservation has also been prioritized in offices. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has also asked that lights, fans, air conditioners, computers, and other equipment be switched off when not needed, while a decision has been made to regulate and control the use of air-conditioners and other electrical appliances to prevent unnecessary power consumption.
In the meeting, the decision has been made that approximately 20% of employees will be allowed to work from home on a rotational basis. However, it was also stated that file processing, meetings, coordination, state-related work, and regular office operations should remain unaffected. Employees working from home will remain available via phone, email, video conferencing, and e-office.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh said that to save fuel and make better use of public resources, it has been decided to implement a car-pooling system once a week. This system will be extended to the Director level, while the Ministry also aims to reduce vehicle usage by approximately one-third, thereby reducing fuel, vehicle maintenance, driver management, and other related expenses.
He said that official visits and meetings will also be more controlled and need-based. Only essential visits will take place, and where possible, reviews, consultations, and meetings will be conducted via video conferencing to prevent unnecessary travel by large delegations and reduce expenditure.
In the meeting, an important discussion was related to the issue of edible oil consumption. Following the direction of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Ministry took a decision to launch a special public awareness campaign promoting balanced and healthy consumption of edible oil, to reduce excessive consumption, positively impact health, and support the country's goal of reducing its dependence on edible oil imports. The ongoing mission to increase domestic production of edible oil and oilseeds will be further strengthened.
Regarding the agricultural sector, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that natural farming and balanced use of fertilizers must be pursued together. He explained that the Agriculture Department and ICAR have decided to launch a "Save the Farm Campaign," under which scientists will visit villages and, based on soil analysis and the elements present in the soil, will advise farmers on which fertilizers should be used, in what quantities, and according to their needs. Its objective is to prevent unnecessary fertilizer use and reduce dependence on imported fertilizers. Mr. Chauhan stated that the Farm Saving Campaign (Khet Bachao Abhiyan) will be implemented in a more organized and effective manner across the country for 15 days, starting June 1st. In collaboration with state governments, farmers will be made aware that they should use the necessary fertilizers but avoid unnecessary use, thereby reducing costs and protecting the health of the soil.
Preparations for the Kharif season have also been integrated into this overall strategy. Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the Kharif Conference, to be held on May 28th and 29th, will place special emphasis on balanced fertilizer use, while a separate session will be held to promote natural farming. It has also been decided to invite Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat to this session so that practical and inspiring experiences of natural farming can be shared with the states. Shivraj Singh said that in the current global situation, even small steps can yield major national results. He stated that thrift, restraint, and prudent use of resources are not just economic necessities but also national responsibilities, and that agriculture, food security, nutritional security, and farmers' livelihoods will not be affected at any cost.
