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10,800 Farmers in Mizoram Engaged in Oil Palm Cultivation
10,800 Farmers in Mizoram Engaged in Oil Palm Cultivation
09/04/2014 (Mizo News) - A total of 10,800 farmers in Mizoram are engaged in Oil Palm cultivation covering 225 villages out of the total 830 villages, as on February 12 this year, the State’s economic survey 2013-14 showed.
The total potential area identified in seven districts out of the 8 districts of the State comes to 1, 01, 000 hectares at low elevation with gentle slope (25-33 %) having favorable agro-climatic condition.
So far, a total of 17,588 hectare land area has been covered under Oil Palm cultivation. 5,000 and 7,000 seedlings were planted at Rotlang area of Lunglei district and Thingdawl area of Kolasib district during 1999-2000, respectively, with promising results, after which the Government of Mizoram decided to undertake Oil Palm cultivation.
For Oil Palm Development Programme, the Ministry of Agriculture & Co-operation, Government of India, has issued approval of Oil Palm Cultivation under ISOPOM (Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize) for the year 2004-2005 and the programme is implemented in Mizoram since 2004-2005 till 2011-12.
The Oil Palm Development Programme is continued under RKVY (Oil Palm Area Expansion) from 2011-12 to 2012-13. Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm are likely to be launched from 12th Plan.
The Mizoram Oil Palm (Regulation of Production and Processing) Act, 2004 was passed in Mizoram Legislative Assembly on 2nd December, 2004. The act contains 26 sections.
A high level Working Group constituted by Government of India under the Chairmanship of Dr.K.L.Chadha have identified 61,100 hectares potential area and under the Chairmanship of Dr. P.Rethinam have identified additional 40,000 hectares potential area totaling 1,01,000 Ha for Oil Palm cultivation in Mizoram.
The Government of Mizoram has also signed M.O.U with reliable national companies for Oil Palm Development. The implementing partner companies are:- 1. Godrej Oil Palm Limited -Kolasib & Mamit District. 2. Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd. -Lunglei & Lawngtlai District. 3. 3F Oil Palm Agrotech Pvt Ltd -Serchhip & Aizawl & Saiha District.
Move to reduce jhuming
Oil Palm Cultivation is expected to convert jhum area into permanent settlement with greater employment opportunity with higher income to farmers. Moreover, it is expected that a good number of educated unemployment youth will find employment in Rural Sector.
The Technical Experts from NRC-OP, who studied the suitability of agro-climatic condition and water availability required for Oil Palm Cultivation in
Mizoram has recommended that “Climate and soil condition in the southern Mizoram having low elevation and gentle slopes are quite suitable for Oil Palm cultivation”.
The Government of Mizoram aims to implement and action Programme with an objective of placing Oil Palm as a key component in the plan to generate employment and mitigate environmental degradation and to strengthen the process of Oil Palm Development.
The total potential area identified in seven districts out of the 8 districts of the State comes to 1, 01, 000 hectares at low elevation with gentle slope (25-33 %) having favorable agro-climatic condition.
So far, a total of 17,588 hectare land area has been covered under Oil Palm cultivation. 5,000 and 7,000 seedlings were planted at Rotlang area of Lunglei district and Thingdawl area of Kolasib district during 1999-2000, respectively, with promising results, after which the Government of Mizoram decided to undertake Oil Palm cultivation.
For Oil Palm Development Programme, the Ministry of Agriculture & Co-operation, Government of India, has issued approval of Oil Palm Cultivation under ISOPOM (Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize) for the year 2004-2005 and the programme is implemented in Mizoram since 2004-2005 till 2011-12.
The Oil Palm Development Programme is continued under RKVY (Oil Palm Area Expansion) from 2011-12 to 2012-13. Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm are likely to be launched from 12th Plan.
The Mizoram Oil Palm (Regulation of Production and Processing) Act, 2004 was passed in Mizoram Legislative Assembly on 2nd December, 2004. The act contains 26 sections.
A high level Working Group constituted by Government of India under the Chairmanship of Dr.K.L.Chadha have identified 61,100 hectares potential area and under the Chairmanship of Dr. P.Rethinam have identified additional 40,000 hectares potential area totaling 1,01,000 Ha for Oil Palm cultivation in Mizoram.
The Government of Mizoram has also signed M.O.U with reliable national companies for Oil Palm Development. The implementing partner companies are:- 1. Godrej Oil Palm Limited -Kolasib & Mamit District. 2. Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd. -Lunglei & Lawngtlai District. 3. 3F Oil Palm Agrotech Pvt Ltd -Serchhip & Aizawl & Saiha District.
Move to reduce jhuming
Oil Palm Cultivation is expected to convert jhum area into permanent settlement with greater employment opportunity with higher income to farmers. Moreover, it is expected that a good number of educated unemployment youth will find employment in Rural Sector.
The Technical Experts from NRC-OP, who studied the suitability of agro-climatic condition and water availability required for Oil Palm Cultivation in
Mizoram has recommended that “Climate and soil condition in the southern Mizoram having low elevation and gentle slopes are quite suitable for Oil Palm cultivation”.
The Government of Mizoram aims to implement and action Programme with an objective of placing Oil Palm as a key component in the plan to generate employment and mitigate environmental degradation and to strengthen the process of Oil Palm Development.