Tripura’s Push for Oil Palm to Cut Imports and Raise Farmer Income

Agartala, Tripura | July 21, 2025 | By Utpol Ray Tripura Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath emphasized that oil palm cultivation offers lucrative income potential for farmers and is being fully supported by both central and state governments. He inaugurated a Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive in Taltala under the Bamutia Assembly Constituency on Monday. The initiative is part of a broader national effort to make India self-sufficient in edible oil production. Addressing the local farmers, Minister Nath urged the agricultural community to actively participate in oil palm cultivation.

The initiative is part of the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), launched to reduce India’s dependence on imported edible oil and boost domestic cultivation in the North-East. He noted that in rubber plantations, farmers can’t cultivate anything in between the rubber trees. But in palm oil cultivation, farmers can grow many other crops in between, and the government will also help. From clearing bushes to providing saplings all will be done by the government. “Our target by 2025-26 is to cover 7,000 hectares in Tripura, and so far, we have already covered around 4,000 hectares,” said Minister. He further informed that palm oil is used to make two types of oil palm oil, which is used for cooking, and palm kernel oil, which is used in industry. Palm oil is also used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and bio-lubricants. He said that potential areas for oil palm cultivation in Tripura have been identified and a new area expansion program has been launched by the Government of India. “Horticulture and Soil Conservation Rights, under the National Mission on Edible Oils Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), have been implemented with two processors as associate partners Godrej Agrovet Ltd. on 1st August 2022, and Patanjali Foods Pvt. Ltd. on 10th August 2022, with MoUs signed. The Horticulture and Land Conservation Rights of the State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department are committed to achieving this target,” said Ratan Lal Nath.

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Why Oil Palm?

• • High profitability: Farmers can earn ₹2.5–3 lakh per hectare annually after maturity.

• • Government support: Subsidies on saplings, fertilizers, irrigation, and processing units.

• • Tripura’s potential: The state has 25,000+ hectares of identified suitable land for oil palm.

• • Market linkage: MoUs signed with companies for buy-back at Minimum Support Price.

Government’s Commitment

Ratan Lal Nath assured farmers that training, equipment, and technical know-how would be provided. He urged them to join the scheme and contribute to India’s self-reliance in edible oil production. “This is a visionary mission by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha,” he added.

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