In an attempt to make Assam self-dependent in the production of edible oils, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 8 led the state in joining the movement in producing edible palm oil when he along with Ramdev planted saplings of oil palm at Saikhowaghat in Tinsukia.
With this plantation, a target has been set to bring 3.75 lakh hectares under the cultivation of oil palm.
Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Sarma said the main objective of this movement is to revolutionise agro-economy through oil palm plantation. He said as a part of a series of steps to promote an oil palm plantation, Patanjali Food Limited (PFL), a food-based company has set a target of 60,300 hectare plantation by 2026.
He said since farmers are keen to adopt oil palm as a new crop to supplement and boost their income, the government is taking steps to promote the cultivation of oil palm trees.
To make Bharat aatmanirbhar in production of edible oils, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji envisaged the National Mission on Edible Oils.
Today, Assam joined this vital movement from Tinsukia District, with a goal to bring 3.75 L Ha under cultivation of oil palm. pic.twitter.com/cNPmREJkhi
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 8, 2023
Himanta Biswa Sarma also said PFL will develop palm oil plantations in seven districts namely Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, Kamrup, Kamrup (Metro) and Goalpara. PFL is planning to set up 16 nurseries by the coming year to facilitate quality seeding supply to farmers. PFL will set up 12 refineries in seven districts this year and another four by next year. Moreover, PFL will set up oil palm processing factory at Dhing and Nagaon.
As a part of the nation’s initiative in starting the movement of oil palm production, Assam, considering its potential in oil palm production, has taken this initiative. The chief minister on the occasion thanked Yoga Guru Ramdev for coming out to help Assam in oil palm production.
Agriculture minister Atul Bora, MLAs Bolin Chetia, Bhaskar Sharma, Rupesh Goala, Suren Phukan, Ponakan Baruah, CEM Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Tuliram Ronghang, additional chief secretary agriculture Asish Kumar Bhutani, functionaries of PFL and host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
