Mizoram Emerges as the Foremost State in Northeast India for Oil Palm Cultivation: Research Experts
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Aizawl, Dec 18 (NationPress) Experts from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR) in Andhra Pradesh informed Mizoram Governor that the state is currently at the forefront in the northeastern region concerning oil palm cultivation, with an estimated cultivation area of 60,000 to 70,000 hectares, officials stated.
An official shared that a collaborative team of scientists from ICAR and IIOPR, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, led by K. Manorama, Principal Scientist, convened with Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Wednesday to discuss the enormous potential of oil palm cultivation in this hilly state.
The Governor expressed confidence that Mizoram could transform into one of India's top producers of palm oil.
The meeting highlighted the necessity of boosting oil palm production in Mizoram while also addressing the challenges faced by farmers and strategies for enhancing the management and cultivation of oil palm.
Kambhampati, emphasizing the country's significant reliance on imports, stressed the importance of achieving self-sufficiency in edible oil production, noting that the government is implementing various measures to tackle these issues.
The Governor pointed out that Mizoram, with its considerable potential for increasing oil palm output, requires dedicated efforts and urged ICAR experts to collaborate closely with oil palm farmers to effectively address their challenges and needs.
He encouraged ICAR officials to formulate a comprehensive plan for further development through the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Mizoram Centre, Kolasib, to maximize the state's potential in this field.
During the meeting, ICAR and IIOPR scientists updated the Governor on their ongoing initiatives in Mizoram.
They informed him that Mizoram is currently the leading state in the northeast regarding oil palm cultivation, with a potential area of 60,000 to 70,000 hectares, as per official reports.
Other scientists who participated in the discussion with the Governor on oil palm cultivation in Mizoram included Dr. G. Ravichandran, Principal Scientist, and Dr. G. Somasundaran, Senior Scientist.
In the meantime, a two-day national review and workshop focused on Sustainable Oil Palm Cultivation was recently held in Guwahati by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Central Government, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Assam.
