Jorhat, India: Priya Ram Duwarah, a 65-year-old farmer, has ventured into oil palm cultivation in Assam, India, planting 60 seedlings in his half-hectare of land. With promises of high returns and support from the state agriculture department, Duwarah switched from growing paddy to oil palm.
The demand for edible oils in India prompted the government to invest in oil palm cultivation, aiming for self-sufficiency. However, despite the potential, challenges like lack of processing facilities and low market prices have deterred early adopters like farmer Josmi Rabha.
Huge demand for edible oils
The push for oil palm cultivation in northeastern regions like Assam has seen mixed results, with farmers struggling to find markets and facing losses. The situation has led to a decline in participation, prompting new initiatives like the collaboration between the state government and companies like Patanjali Foods Limited to revive the industry.
New players
Patanjali Foods Limited is distributing free seedlings and providing technical guidance to farmers, with plans to set up processing units once the production scales up. With a focus on intercropping and market linkages, the company aims to boost farmer incomes and revive the oil palm sector in Assam.