Kohima, September 7 (MExN): The Nagaland Government is targeting only 15,000 hectare (ha) of wastelands for oil palm cultivation, Minister for Planning & Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu has maintained on September 7.
This decision was taken on the basis of actual availability of the cultivable areas, stated Kronu during a video conference (VC) meeting held on September 7, with the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, and 13 other states.
According to a DIPR report, Kronu represented the State Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture, who are currently on tour, and was accompanied by Advisor, Horticulture, Mhathung Yanthan and Agriculture Production Commissioner, Y Kikheto Sema at the meeting.
As per the report, Kronu further informed that meeting that the Department of Agriculture (DoA) is implementing the scheme under the National Food Security Mission-Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NFSM-OS &OP) since 2014-15.
“So far, it has covered an area of about 4,623 ha along the foothill areas of Mokokchung, Wokha, Mon, Dimapur, Peren and Longleng,” he said, adding that the Department has targeted area coverage of 1,100 ha during 2021-2022.
The Minister further informed that Shivasais Oil Palm Private Limited has agreed to procure Fresh Fruits Bunches (FFBs) from the farmers by the 3rd week of September 2021.
The company also been asked to set up Oil extraction Mill by August 2022, he added.
The meeting holds significance with the recent Union Cabinet approval to launch a new Mission on Oil palm to be known as the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a special focus on the North east region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on August 18.
With a financial outlay of Rs.11, 040 crore, proposed scheme will subsume the current National Food Security Mission-Oil Palm programme, then stated a PIB release, after the approval.
The Morung Express in a two-part series last week has highlighted concerns expressed by the experts on monoculture and oil palm production as well as the current status as informed by Kronu at the September 7 meeting.
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