(1)

It shall be the duty of the Board to promote, by such measures as it thinks fit, the development under the control of the Central Government of the oilseeds industry and the vegetable oils industry.

(2)

Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions contained in sub-section (1), the measures referred to therein may provide for-

(a) taking such measures for the development of the oilseeds industry and the vegetable oils industry as would enable farmers, particularly small farmers, to become participants in, and beneficiaries of, the development and growth of the oilseeds industry and the vegetable oils industry;

(b) recommending measures for improving the marketing of oilseeds, products of oilseeds and vegetable oils and for their quality control in India;

(c) imparting technical advice to any person who is engaged in the cultivation of oilseeds or the processing or marketing of oilseeds and its products;

(d) providing for, or recommending, financial or other assistance for the production and development of adequate quantity of breeders' seeds, foundation seeds and certified seeds of high quality, arranging supply of inputs for the oilseeds growers, adoption of improved methods of cultivation of oilseeds and modern technology for processing of oilseeds, extension of areas under oilseeds cultivation with a view to developing the oilseeds industry and the vegetable oils industry;

(e) recommending such measures as may be practicable for assisting oilseeds growers to get incentive prices, including recommending, as and when necessary, after consultation with the Agricultural Prices Commission, minimum and maximum prices for oilseeds and products of oilseeds and vegetable oils;

(f) recommending and taking such measures as may be necessary for collection, procurement and maintenance of buffer stocks of oilseeds for stabilising the price situation and market conditions respect of oilseeds, products of oilseeds and vegetable oils;

(g) recommending and taking such measures as may be necessary for the-

(h) recommending measures for regulating import, export or distribution of oilseeds or products of oilseeds or vegetable oils in the context of an integrated policy and programme of development of oilseeds and vegetable oils;

(i) collecting statistics from growers of oilseeds, dealers in oilseeds, manufacturers of products of oilseeds and vegetable oils and such other person and institutions as may be necessary on any matter relating to the oilseeds industry or vegetable oils industry and publishing the statistics so collected or portions thereof or extracts therefrom;

(j) recommending the setting up and adoption of grade standards for oilseeds and their products and vegetable oils;

(k) financing suitable schemes in consultation with the Central Government and the Governments of the States where oilseeds are grown on a large scale, so as to increase the production of oilseeds and to improve their quality and yields; and for this purpose evolving schemes for the award of prizes or grant of incentives to growers of oilseeds and the manufacturers of oilseeds products and vegetable oils and for providing marketing facilities for oilseeds products and vegetable oils;

(l) assisting, encouraging promoting, co-ordinating and financing agricultural, technological, industrial or economic research on oilseeds, their products and vegetable oils in such manner as the Board may deem fit by making use of available institutions;

(m) undertaking publicity work on the research and development of the oilseeds industry and the vegetable oils industry;

(n) setting up of regional offices and other agencies for the promotion and development of production, processing, grading and marketing of oilseeds and its products and vegetable oils in different States and Union territories for the efficient discharge of the functions of the Board;

(o) such other matters as may be considered necessary for the purpose of carrying out the functions of the Board or as may be prescribed.

(3)

The Board shall perform its functions under this section in accordance with, and subject to such rules as may be made by the Central Government in this behalf.