Farmers hold key to self-reliance in edible oils

NEW DELHI: Indian farmer Shingara Singh has grown grain for 35 years and is one of thousands of protesters against agricultural reforms who have the power to help slash a huge annual bill of US$10bil for imports of vegetable oils.

But Singh, 55, says he will only switch to growing oilseeds, such as rapeseed and sunflower, on his six-hectare plot in the northern state of Punjab, if the government promises guaranteed rates for his produce.