Summary
- Tripura has brought 4,000 hectares under oil palm cultivation, moving toward a 7,000-hectare target by 2025–26.
- Over 1.46 lakh hectares in Tripura have been identified as potential areas for future oil palm cultivation.
- Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath launched a mega plantation drive and emphasized self-reliance in edible oil.
- Godrej Agrovet and Patanjali Foods are setting up palm oil processing units and partnering in cultivation expansion.
Agartala (Tripura) Jul 21: Tripura has achieved notable progress in palm oil cultivation, bringing nearly 4,000 hectares of land under cultivation against a total target of 7,000 hectares to be completed by the 2025–26 financial year.
Mega Plantation Drive Launched at Taltala
State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath shared the update regarding the Palm Cultivation during the inauguration of a Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive at Taltala in Bamutia Assembly constituency under the West Tripura District. Addressing the gathering, the Minister stressed the importance of edible oil self-sufficiency for the nation.
“Although India is self-sufficient in key food items like rice and fish, we still rely heavily on imports for edible oil,” said Nath. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the need to reduce this dependency to prevent massive outflows of foreign currency.”
He added that the government has identified the northeastern and southern regions of India as highly suitable for oil palm cultivation, given their favorable climate and soil conditions.
Palm Oil Promises Strong Market Returns
Highlighting the commercial viability of palm oil, Nath said that its market price is consistently rising, ensuring secure returns for farmers. “There is no concern regarding marketability — the demand is strong and steady,” he assured.
The Minister also pointed out a major benefit for cultivators: unlike rubber plantations, which do not support intercropping, oil palm cultivation allows for multiple crops to be grown in between the palm trees. “The government will support farmers in every step — from bush clearance to providing quality saplings,” he said.
Nath explained that palm oil yields two products — palm oil for culinary use and palm kernel oil for industrial applications. These oils are also widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and lubricants, indicating their strong relevance across multiple sectors.
Land Identified Through Digital Mapping
Providing background, the Minister noted that the DAC Committee of the Government of India had initially identified 7,000 hectares of potential land for oil palm cultivation in Tripura back in 2012. Later, in 2020, the ICAR-IIOPR Re-evaluation Committee conducted digital mapping and identified a significantly larger potential area — over 1,46,000 hectares — across the state.
NMEO-OP Implementation and Industry Partnerships
Under the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO–OP), the Tripura government has implemented horticulture and soil conservation initiatives with two major industry partners. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with Godrej Agrovet Ltd. on August 1, 2022, and with Patanjali Foods Pvt. Ltd. on August 10, 2022.
As per the agreements, Godrej Agrovet is responsible for promoting cultivation in Unakoti, North, and Dhalai districts, while Patanjali Foods has been allotted Khowai, West, Sepahijala, Gomati, and South Tripura districts.
Processing Units and Research Centres in the Pipeline
Godrej Agrovet laid the foundation stone for a palm oil processing unit in Nalkata, Dhalai district on August 10, 2024. The company also plans to establish an international-standard Oil Palm Research and Solutions Centre at the same site, in partnership with SD Guthrie International Company of Malaysia.
Patanjali Foods Ltd. is also preparing to set up a processing facility at Gurupada Bagan, near Khumulwng Park, further boosting the infrastructure needed for large-scale oil palm cultivation in the state.
Concluding Remarks
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has set a clear target of bringing 7,000 hectares of land in Tripura under oil palm cultivation by 2025–26. The state’s Horticulture and Land Conservation Departments are fully committed to achieving this goal,” the Minister concluded.
