OIL PALM NATIONAL MISSION ON EDIBLE OIL NMEO-OP 2021

(National Mission on Edible Oil- Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), Government of India, North-East, Andaman and Nicobar Island, largest importer of edible oil, Government of Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Patanjali Foods Ltd, Godrej Agrovet Ltd, KE cUltivation, 3F Oil Palm, metric tonne, hectare, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, 18 districts, nursery, seeds, import, Bio-fencing, cultivation, customised harvesting center, 2025-26)

The National Mission on Edible Oil- Oil Palm NMEO-OP is a flagship initiative of Government of India launched in the year 2021. India is the largest importer of edible oils worldwide in which palm oil import share stands at 56% during 2021-22. However, even then the domestic consumption rate of edible oils could not be met sufficiently which goes above 25 million tonnes. The thrust regions of this scheme are North-Eastern India and regions of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is a Centrally sponsored scheme with a financial outlay of Rs.11,040 crore out of which Rs. 8,844 crore is the share of Government of India and Rs. 2196 crore is the State share.

Targets of National Mission on Edible Oil- Oil Palm NMEO-OP

The target fixed for Oil palm area expansion by 2025-26 under NMEO-Oil palm is as under:

• To increase area of oil palm to 10 lakh hectares from 3.5 lakh ha during 2019-20 by
  2025-26 (additional 6.50 lakh ha). The target for general states is 3.22 lakh hectares
  and 3.28 lakh ha for North Eastern states, with targeted FFB production of 66.00 lakh
  tonnes.
• To increase in Crude Palm Oil production from 0.27 lakh tonnes during 2019-20 to
  11.20lakh tonnes by 2025-26 and 28 lakh tonnes by 2028-29.
• Increase consumer awareness to maintain consumption level of 19.00 kg/person/annum
  till 2025-26

National Mission on Edible Oil- Oil Palm NMEO-OP in Assam

Currently Assam produces approximately 40-50 thousand metric tonne of oil. But out of this, 3 lakh metric tonnes of oil is consumed by 3 crores 60 lakh people altogether. The consumption rate is much higher than the production rate. This implies that the state of Assam solely has a major market potential of edible oil. As a step towards implementation of NMEO-OP in Assam, the State Government under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, has decided to take up this program in 18 districts.

Zone wise classification of implementation program of NMEO-OP in Assam

• Zone 1- Dhemaji-Lakhimpur
• Zone 2- Jorhat- Golaghat-Dibrugarh-Tinsukia (for this zone assistance will also be provided by Patanjali Foods Ltd.)
• Zone 3- Dima Hasao-Karbi Anglong
• Zone 4- Kamrup-Goalpara-Nagaon
• Zone 5- Chirang-Udalguri-Sonitpur
• Zone 6- Hailakandi-Cachar-Karimganj

Role of private companies in Oil Palm Plantations of Assam

Currently the Government of Assam has entrusted responsibility upon Patanjali Foods Ltd for oil palm plantations in 60000 hectares of land in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Golaghat, Nagaon and Kamrup. Godrej Agrovet Ltd has been given the responsibility of plantations in Hailakandi, Cachar, Karimganj comprising 34000 hectares of land, 3F Oil Palm will be responsible for plantation in 23000 hectares of land in Chirang and Lakhimpur and KE cultivation will be in charge of Sonitpur and Dhemaji district comprising 25000 hectares of land.

The private companies such as Patanjali Foods Ltd., Godrej Agrovet Ltd., 3F Oil Palm, KE Cultivation will import seeds required in the nursery of oil palm and set up nurseries. These seeds will be imported from countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand. From those nurseries, these companies will provide the farmers with trees/plants which are suitable for cultivation. To assist in farming the Central and State governments will also provide financial aid.

Distribution of financial aid in oil palm farming Assam

• An initial grant of Rs. 3000 will be given to the farmers for clearing up of forests for cultivation.
• Rs. 4000 per hectare will be provided for setting up of Bio-fencing in surrounding areas.
• Rs. 6250 per hectare will be provided to the farmers for purchase of manure, micro nutrient etc.
• In order to fill in the gaps between oil palm plantations by cultivating other crops, the farmers will be provided a sum of Rs. 6250 per hectare.
• Moreover, a customized harvesting centre will be constructed after the oil palm is fully grown and for this the Government will provide a financial aid of Rs. 25 lakh to a group so that the plants can be brought to the mill and oil can be extracted in the mill.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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