7/10/06 (The Hindu)  -  KOTTAYAM: Kottayam-based Oil Palm India Ltd. (OPIL) a Central-State joint venture, has decided to focus on the Malabar region for expansion of oil palm cultivation, company chairman V.B. Binu has said.

The company has already identified 1000 hectare of land for the purpose and the first phase of cultivation in 200 hectare would be launched officially on Sunday, he said.

The company was trying to promote the cultivation of oil palm through subsidies. The subsidy for the 200 hectare, at the rate of Rs.23,000 a hectare, will be distributed at function scheduled to be held at Thamarassery on Sunday. Minister for Forests Benoy Viswom will inaugurate the function.

According to him, farmers from Kozhikode, Malappuram and Wayanad districts have enthusiastically come forward to try the new crop, Mr. Binu said. With farmers facing crisis in the Malabar region, oil palm is fast emerging as the next sunrise plantation industry, he added.