In a bid to make India self-reliant in edible oils and reduce its import expenditure, Solidaridad Network has launched a Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive, targeting the vast potential of the North East region. India, the largest global importer and second-largest consumer of oil palm, spent a substantial USD 10.17 billion in 2021-22 on oil palm imports, constituting 13% of the world’s total production.Dr. Suresh Motwani, Veg Oil Program Head – India, Solidaridad Network, highlighted the immense potential in the North East, with approximately 9 lakh hectares suitable for oil palm cultivation. Emphasizing environmental sustainability, he noted the possibility of converting areas under jhum cultivation or barren lands into oil palm plantations, avoiding forest cover.
Solidaridad Network, known for its sustainable oil palm programs worldwide, has actively contributed to the development of India’s own standards for sustainable palm oil – IPOS. This framework aligns with the ambitious Oil Palm Mission of the Government of India, particularly the National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil palm (NMEO-OP), promoting oil palm cultivation for self-sufficiency in edible oils.Dr. Motwani highlighted the economic benefits for small farmholders, noting that 0.26 hectares of land can produce 1 ton of palm oil compared to 2 hectares needed for the same amount of soybean oil. With significantly less land requirement and the potential for intercropping, oil palm cultivation holds the promise of economic prosperity for smallholders.
Studies by The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR) reveal that oil palm plantations require less water compared to crops like rice, banana, and sugarcane. Modern cultivation practices, contrary to misconceptions, support intercropping with less water-intensive crops, enhancing environmental resilience and generating additional revenue streams for farmers.Solidaridad’s international expertise in sustainable supply chains spans 54 years and 52 countries. The organization’s commitment to fair and responsible practices aligns with its goal of transforming global supply chains, including those related to agriculture and food production.
