New Delhi: India’s Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive, launched on July 15, 2024, under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), has reached a major milestone. Over 17 lakh oil palm saplings have been planted, covering more than 12,000 hectares across 15 states, benefiting over 10,000 farmers. The nationwide initiative represents the combined efforts of the Government of India, state governments, and leading oil palm processing companies to expand oil palm cultivation and boost domestic production of edible oils.
The drive, set to continue until September 15, 2024, has witnessed enthusiastic participation from states such as Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. This initiative is seen as a critical step toward reducing India’s reliance on imported edible oils while simultaneously enhancing farmers’ incomes.
Organized in collaboration with prominent oil palm processing companies like Patanjali Food Pvt. Ltd., Godrej Agrovet, and 3F Oil Palm Ltd., the drive has included awareness workshops, plantation campaigns, and promotional events to engage the farming community. These activities have been supported by key dignitaries and political leaders, who emphasized the importance of the mission in achieving self-reliance in edible oil production.
Launched in August 2021, the National Mission for Edible Oils – Oil Palm aims to establish a value chain ecosystem for the development of the oil palm sector, including viability price support for farmers. The Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive is a vital component of this strategy, contributing to India’s goal of self-reliance in edible oils and creating opportunities for sustainable income growth for farmers.