National Edible Oil Mission-Oil Palm: Farmer AK Rukbo is earning lakhs from palm oil farming, also earning profit from leaves and stem business

National Edible Oil Mission: Rukbo does business of palm oil with Patanjali company which provides him payment on time. Along with the cultivation of oil palm, Rukbo also does integrated farming. In which he does fish farming as well as goat farming, pig farming. He has also kept cows in his farm. He also gets organic manure from their dung.

Under the National Edible Oil Mission – Oil Palm, farmers are being empowered and made self-reliant across the country. AK Rukbo, a progressive farmer of East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, increased his income by cultivating oil palm. Along with this, he is also a source of inspiration for other farmers.

Rukbo does the business of oil palm with Patanjali company, which provides him payment on time. Along with the cultivation of oil palm, Rukbo also does integrated farming. In which he does goat farming, pig farming along with fish farming. He has also kept a cow in his farm. He also gets organic manure from its dung.

The stem of the oil palm tree is also sold at a good price in the market. Along with this, income is also generated from the leaves. The leaves of the tree are also used as animal food. Which shows that not only oil but the stem and leaves of the palm tree are also beneficial. AK Rukbo is also taking important steps towards self-reliant agriculture. In which edible oil production is being promoted by the government’s initiative-National Edible Oil Mission.

What is palm oil? (What Is Palm Oil?)

Palm oil is obtained from the fruit of the palm. While palmiste oil is obtained from the kernel. Palm oil and its uses are used for their amazing natural cosmetic properties.

‘National Edible Oil Mission – Oil Palm’

The Modi government has launched the ‘National Edible Oil Mission – Oil Palm’. The purpose of this mission is to reduce India’s dependence on palm oil imports from other countries. Along with this, the government will try its best to start palm oil cultivation and processing in Northeast India and Andaman Nicobar.

Support of Palm Processing Companies to Farmers

Organized by the state governments in collaboration with leading oil palm processing companies like Patanjali Food Private Limited, Godrej Agrovet and 3F Oil Palm Limited, this initiative included several awareness workshops, tree plantation campaigns and promotional programs. These activities have successfully raised awareness and engaged the farming community.

The Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive is a key component of this comprehensive strategy to achieve self-sufficiency in edible oils, reduce import dependence and increase the income of Indian farmers.

India’s Expenditure On Import Of Palm Oil

Let us tell you that India is currently a net importer of edible oil. 57 percent of the total edible oil is imported from abroad. The shortage of edible oil is having a negative impact on our foreign exchange reserves. At the same time, 20.56 billion US dollars are spent on its import. The central government spends Rs 50 thousand crore annually on this import of palm oil. Through the new Mission Palm Oil, the central government wants to reduce its expenditure. It has become more important for the country to become self-sufficient in the production of cooking oil by promoting oilseeds and palm oil. 

Key Points of Mission Palm Oil:

1. Under this mission, financial assistance of 11000 crores will be provided by the government. Out of which 8844 crores will be borne by the central government. While the remaining amount of 2196 crores will be borne by the state government.

2. For the cultivation of oil palm, farmers will get assistance of Rs 2,90,000 for the purchase of harvesting equipment.

3. Rs 25 lakh is given for the establishment of Custom Hiring Center (CHC).

4. The central government has set a target of cultivating oil palm in 10 lakh hectares by the year 2025. So that the production of palm oil in the country reaches 28 lakh tonnes in the coming ten years.

5. The government is also paying attention to ensure that farmers do not suffer any kind of loss due to oil palm cultivation.

6.Under this mission, the government is also providing special assistance of Rs 250 per plant to restart old orchards.

7.Under the mission, processing companies are also setting up one-stop centers for oil palm farmers where they are providing inputs, custom hiring services, agricultural advice on good agricultural practices and collection of farmers’ produce.

National Edible Oil Mission- Mega Oil Palm Plantation

Under the Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive organized under the National Edible Oil Mission-Oilpalm, more than 17 lakh oil palm saplings were planted in an area of ​​​​more than 12,000 hectares in 15 states of India, benefiting more than 10,000 farmers. This campaign ran till September 15, 2024.

It saw enthusiastic participation from many states including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.

This campaign has achieved a significant milestone by demonstrating the collective efforts of the Government of India, state governments and oil palm processing companies towards expanding oil palm cultivation in the country.

Where is oil palm cultivated in India

Today, oil palm is cultivated on only 3.7 lakh hectares of land in the country. The central government’s target is to almost triple it in the next four years. Apart from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, oil palm is cultivated in Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Please note that palm tree can be grown only around the equator. It cannot be grown in cold areas.

Where is palm oil used

Palm oil is used a lot in detergent products. Vegetable oil used for cooking contains palm oil in large quantities.

Its use is widespread. Palm oil is widely used in the preparation of FMCG products ranging from bread, noodles, sweets and snacks to cosmetics, soaps, detergents.

It is used in shampoos, ice creams, soaps, washing powders and other cleaning products.

It is also used to maintain the color of lipstick. Palm oil does not let lipstick melt at room temperature, along with giving smoothness.

Palm oil makes chocolate shiny and melt-proof.

It gives good texture to cookies.

Consumption of palm oil in the country

In 2012, the per capita consumption of edible oil in India was 14.2 liters, but now it has increased to 19-19.5 liters. In 2019-20, 1.34 crore tonnes of edible oil was imported into India and its value was Rs 61,559 crore.

Why is there such a high demand for palm oil?

1. Palm oil is an extremely versatile oil with many different properties and functions that make it so useful and widely used.

2. It is semi-solid at room temperature so it can be spread. It is resistant to oxidation so products can be stored for a long time.

3. It remains strong at high temperatures so it is helpful in making fried products crispy.

4. Let us tell you that oil palm is also odorless and colorless. Therefore, it does not change the appearance or smell of food products. In Asian and African countries, palm oil is used as cooking oil.

5. Oil palm is a very skilled crop, capable of producing high quantities of oil in small areas of land almost all year round. This makes it an attractive crop for growers and small farmers.