National-Level Workshop on Sustainable Oil Palm Cultivation Concludes in Guwahati

Guwahati: The two-day National-Level Review and Workshop on Sustainable Oil Palm Cultivation, organized by the Department of Agriculture, Assam, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW), Government of India, successfully concluded today. The event brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, private sector representatives, farmers, and international organizations, to share best practices and advance sustainable oil palm cultivation across India.

The workshop began with interactive sessions between oil palm farmers and industry representatives from various regions. The discussions addressed challenges in the sector and highlighted successful practices to enhance oil palm production. State governments also participated in a review of the physical and financial progress of the National Mission on Edible Oil, Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), aimed at identifying bottlenecks and improving the mission’s implementation.

During his address, Assam’s Agriculture Minister, Atul Bora, emphasized the significance of sustainable oil palm cultivation for the regional economy. He highlighted Assam’s leadership role in promoting oil palm cultivation in the Northeast and assured farmers of continued government support to strengthen the industry.

Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of DA&FW, stressed the importance of boosting domestic palm oil production to achieve self-reliance in edible oil and strengthen the country’s food security. He set a target to increase the share of domestically produced palm oil from the current 2% to 20% within the next 5-6 years, urging all stakeholders to collaborate for this ambitious goal.

Joint Secretary (Oilseeds), DA&FW, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, discussed the implementation challenges of NMEO-OP, advocating for greater collaboration between state governments, farmers, and the private sector. Assam’s Agriculture Production Commissioner, Aruna Rajoria, welcomed the delegates and emphasized the state’s commitment to sustainable practices in oil palm cultivation.

Shri Vijay Paul Sharma, Chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), highlighted the economic potential of oil palm cultivation, underscoring the importance of integrating technology and sustainable practices to maximize profitability. Former Secretary of DA&FW, Shri Sanjay Agrawal, chaired a key session addressing the policy and operational challenges of NMEO-OP and called for enhanced coordination among stakeholders to expedite oil palm production.

The workshop also showcased cutting-edge technologies, including Shell Gene technology, to improve sapling quality and increase oil yields. A significant focus was placed on ensuring the availability of high-quality planting material, which is essential for the long-term success of oil palm cultivation.

International experts from the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) provided insights on global trends and regulatory developments in palm oil cultivation. Representatives from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) contributed to discussions on sustainability and climate resilience, sharing strategies for India to adopt sustainable practices and avoid the environmental challenges faced by other countries.

Leaders from the private sector, including Godrej Agrovet Ltd, 3F Oil Palm Pvt Ltd, Patanjali Foods Ltd, and AAK, actively participated in the event. Their contributions highlighted the critical role of the private sector in scaling up sustainable oil palm production through public-private partnerships, particularly in India’s northeastern states.