The mega oil plantation drive organized between July & August, 2023 witnessed participation from the North East (NE) states – Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Mizoram, and Nagaland. A colossal oil plantation initiative has taken root in the North East (NE) states of India, marking a strategic move towards self-sufficiency in edible oil production. Spanning over 750 hectares across 19 districts, the mega drive aligns with the National Mission for Edible Oils- Oil Palm, designed to bolster crude palm oil production domestically.
According to the Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR), the NE region offers around 9.62 lakh hectares of suitable land, contributing significantly to the national goal.Spearheading the initiative, Sougata Niyogi, CEO of Oil Palm Plantation Business, highlighted the environmental advantages. “Oil Palm requires less water compared to sugarcane and paddy crops. With North East India experiencing favorable weather conditions, the region’s rainfall between 1,000–3,000 MM annually provides an ideal setting for oil palm cultivation.”
To curb the staggering annual import of 9 million tonnes of palm oil costing Rs. 40,000 crores, the ICAR-IIOPR focuses on genetic resource management and innovative production technologies. Mr. Niyogi emphasized, “Oil Palm, yielding 4-5 tonnes/ha/year, offers not only economic benefits but also ensures sustainable farming practices with lower water consumption.”
