National Mission for Edible Oils: India Launches Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive to Achieve Self-Sufficiency in Oil Production

In a significant step towards achieving self-reliance in edible oil production, the Government of India has embarked on a Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive under the National Mission for Edible Oils- Oil Palm. Launched in August 2021, the mission aims to expand the oil palm cultivation area to 10 lakh hectares and boost Crude Palm Oil production to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26. This ambitious initiative not only promises to increase edible oil production but also seeks to reduce the country's import burden.

Collaborating with state governments and oil palm processing companies, the Mega Plantation Drive was initiated on 25th July 2023 and will continue until 12th August 2023. Three major oil palm processing companies, Patanjali Food Pvt. Ltd., Godrej Agrovet, and 3F, are actively participating in the drive and working closely with farmers in various states to achieve record area expansion.

The plantation drive has been strategically organized in two phases. The first phase, conducted in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Goa, and Karnataka, started on 25th July 2023 and will conclude on 8th August 2023. During this phase, an extensive area of nearly 7000 hectares will be covered, with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana alone targeting over 6500 hectares.

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The second phase of the drive, taking place in the North-Eastern Region (NER) states including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Mizoram, and Nagaland, commenced on 27th July 2023 and will run until 12th August 2023. In this phase, the initiative will span 19 districts, covering more than 750 hectares of land.

The Government of Assam aims to cover over 75 hectares in eight districts during the Mega Plantation Drive, scheduled from 27th July 2023 to 5th August 2023. Key players contributing to this state's drive are Godrej Agrovet Ltd., Patanjali Foods Pvt. Ltd, 3F Oil Palm Ltd., and KE Cultivation.

Similarly, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh is targeting an area of approximately 700 hectares across six districts from 29th July 2023 to 12th August 2023. Participating companies in this endeavor are 3F Pvt. Ltd. and Patanjali Foods Pvt. Ltd.

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The mega plantation drive aims to bolster oil palm cultivation across the country and contribute to India's goal of becoming self-sufficient in edible oil production. By promoting oil palm cultivation and enhancing domestic oil production, the mission also aligns with the vision of an 'Aatma Nirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India).

Through such concerted efforts and collaborations, India is taking bold strides toward securing its food security and reducing its dependence on imported edible oils. The success of this mission will not only uplift the lives of farmers but also boost the overall agricultural sector, making India a key player in the global edible oil market.

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