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. A roundtable in Guwahati commemorated the initiative, featuring participation from Godrej Agrovet Ltd, Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India, and Solidaridad Network. The discussion focused on oil palm cultivation’s importance for Northeast farmers and its potential to uplift them.
In August 2021, the Government of India launched the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP). NMEO-OP is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aiming to increase edible oil production from Oil Palm. Costs are shared 60:40 between the Central and State Governments for general states, 90:10 for Northeast states, and 100% for UTs and central agencies. Land ownership remains with the farmer, not corporates.
India imports 7,500,000 tons of palm oil, is the second-largest consumer globally, with 300,000 tons local production. Balram Singh Yadav Managing Director of Godrej Agrovet Ltd, said, “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”.
