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AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Company News, India, Interaction, Oilseeds

The panel unequivocally echoed the need for the state governments to accelerate its process of setting up the required infrastructure and fast-track the land allotment for oil palm cultivation.

 The Government of India under National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) has initiated a Mega Oil Plantation Drive from July 25 to August 5, 2023. To commemorate this initiative, a roundtable was organized in Guwahati. It witnessed participation from Godrej Agrovet Ltd, Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India and Solidaridad Network.  The discussion revolved around the importance of oil palm cultivation for the Northeast and how it can uplift the farmers in the region.

The panel unequivocally echoed the need for the state governments in the region to accelerate its process of setting up the required infrastructure and fast-track the land allotment for oil palm cultivation thereby uplifting and prospering the farmers with small land holding.

“The NMEO-OP is a step in the right direction for the country. We thank the government for putting this in place and also taking special care of the Northeast States,” said Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director, Godrej Agrovet Ltd, a leading diversified, Research & Development focused food and agri-business conglomerate.

He further added, “Our expertise of more than three decades in the oil palm business has enabled us to provide a variety of resources in addition to educating farmers on sustainable oil palm plantation processes. Our success in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is a testimony of the same. That said, while the region’s unique topography poses immense challenge to us, we are confident of replicating our success in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on the back of our capabilities. The same would not only uplift the farmers with small land parcels but also generate employment in the region.”

India is the world’s largest importer of Palm Oil and is the 2nd largest consumer of Palm Oil. With the local production of 300,000 tons, the country currently imports 7,500,000 tons.

Dr. B. V. Mehta, Executive Director, The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India highlighted the critical role of palm oil as an affordable cooking oil and a significant source of nutrition for millions of consumers. Despite its importance, our country faces a considerable gap between demand and supply, leading to the annual importation of approximately 140 Lakh Tonnes of various edible oils. This import expenditure amounts to a staggering Rs 120,000 Crores on palm and other oils.

“When ICAR-IIOPR and DA&FW carried out the assessment of oil palm potential areas during 2020, a total of 27.99 lakh ha was found suitable for oil palm cultivation in India, of which, 9.62 lakh ha has been identified in the Northeast States. Presently it is being cultivated in an area of 38,992 ha in NER, leaving much scope for expansion. ICAR-IIOPR is handholding oil palm development in NER through capacity building programmes, seed gardens, planting materials, demonstrations, supply of critical inputs, etc.” said Dr. K. Suresh, Director, ICAR-IIOPR.

Highlighting the sustainability aspect of Indian oil palm cultivation, Dr Suresh Motwani, Veg Oil Program Head – India, Solidaridad Network said “Studies have shown that palm oil is one of the most sustainable crops. By adopting sustainable practices, oil palm plantations can balance the demand for palm oil production with environmental and social responsibility, reducing their overall ecological footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future for farmers. To strengthen the production of palm oil in India the Indian Palm Oil Sustainability framework (IPOS) has been introduced to drive a positive change in the palm oil industry and contribute to more sustainable practices, benefiting the environment, local communities, and the Indian economy.”

The panel unequivocally echoed the need for

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Horticulture, Organic, Sustainability, Vegetables

About 800 farmers in the region get the advantage of exclusive claims of a specific geographical origin and qualities under Intellectual Property Rights

The Queen pineapple of Tripura along with 12 other fruits and vegetables of the Northeast have received a geographical indication (GI) tag with the initiative of the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC).

Arunachal Orange, Mizo Chilli, Kachai Lemon, Khasi Mandarin, Tezpur Litchi, Sikkim Large Cardamom, Karbi Anglong Ginger, Naga Tree Tomato, ‘Chak-Hao’ Black Rice, Memang Narang, Dalle Khursani and Naga Sweet Cucumber have also got the GI tag.

The Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region has facilitated the process of GI tagging and authorised about 800 farmers in the region to get the advantage of exclusive claims of a specific geographical origin and qualities under Intellectual Property Rights across the globe.

After NERAMAC, authorised these farmers, working in groups, to use its certifications, the decision is expected to boost the promotion of these unique products of the northeast in the international and domestic markets.

Tripura is producing the world-renowned Queen Pineapple – spiny, golden yellow in colour, with a distinctive aroma, and has high juice content, tanginess, and sweetness that sets it apart from the pineapples grown in the other Northeast states. The northern parts of Tripura are also producing the Kew verity pineapple, which is also juicy and sweet in taste but bigger in size till the middle of the monsoon.

About 800 farmers in the region get

Organic, Start ups

Various aspects of farming related to inorganic farming, organic farming and natural farming were discussed & assessed from a sustainable and economic perspective of the region.

The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has recently met an expert group of Agripreneurs and academicians to explore possibility of an agriculture driven growth, especially for the farming community of the northeast, including Assam on December 26, 2021.

Various aspects of farming related to inorganic farming, organic farming and natural farming were discussed & assessed from a sustainable and economic perspective of the region. It was stressed that the growth arising out of agriculture must satiate both ecological and economic needs of the region and its people. The team was led by Dr Bidyut Deka, Vice-Chancellor, Assam Agriculture University (AAU).

After careful deliberation, the minister requested the expert group to prepare a comprehensive report on the feasibility of organic & natural farming so that it becomes a roadmap & approach for any future policy related discussion at the highest level of government. The report will be prepared at the aegis of the Assam Agriculture University (AAU) with highlights of successful agripreneurs of the state involved in organic as well as natural farming and comparative examination of the Northeast region.

Elaborating on the point of sustainable farming in the region, Sonowal said, “The use of modern technology and expert techniques must be used smartly to reap the benefits of farming in our region. We must learn from our roots and adapt modern techniques so that we can achieve sustainable development. It must respect the ecological balance of our region and at the same time attain economic prosperity for our farming community. We believe that there is huge opportunity for the farming community from the region to avail benefit and become an important stakeholder in expanding the AYUSH based industry in the entire Northeast.”

Various aspects of farming related to inorganic