The present state government has taken a series of steps to become self-sufficient in edible oil through oil palm cultivation, and for that, several measures have been taken.

This was said by Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath today after he inaugurated the “Mega Oil Palm Plantation Programme” in Killa Agricultural Subdivision.

He said that India, in many ways, especially in production like rice, is first, including turmeric, cardamom, chilli, banana, mango, millet, etc., which have huge production in India.

“We are facing a shortage of edible oil. Edible oil is produced from mustard, sesame, soybean, coconut, sunflower. But these are unable to fulfil the demand as India produces only 47%, and for the rest, we import from other countries, and for that, crores of rupees go to other countries. PM Modi has set a target under the Palm Oil Mission to become self-reliant. Especially in the Northeast and southern states, cultivation of palm oil is given priority due to the weather and soil conditions. The price of palm oil increases every day,” said the Minister.

The Minister informed that the government is providing oil palm saplings free of cost, which are very expensive. We provide Rs 3,000 one time to clear the bushes, Rs 4,000 per hectare to create terraces, and Rs 4,000 per hectare for fencing.

“We are providing all kinds of assistance to farmers who will do oil palm cultivation. The main aim is self-sufficiency in edible oil. We are in Atharobhola Village Committee under Killa, where Pramilakanta Molsom is cultivating oil palm on 12 kani of land. The government is taking several steps to encourage farmers to boost oil palm cultivation in a move toward self-sufficiency in edible oil. In 2012, the Central Government decided to cultivate oil palm in 7,000 hectares; the then state government did not take any steps to become self-sufficient. However, after our government came to power, we have been working tirelessly and have covered over 3,500 hectares,” he added.

Tripura Legislative Assembly Speaker Rampada Jamatia, MLA Abhishek Debroy, MLA Jitendra Majumdar, and other officials of the Agriculture Department were present at the program.