CM launches Manipur Oil Palm Project
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, November 12 2020: Chief Minister N Biren Singh today launched the Oil Palm Project Manipur through video conferencing held at the Cabinet Hall of the Chief Minister's Secretariat.

The project is being taken up under the Department of Agriculture, Manipur.

Delivering his speech as chief guest, N Biren congratulated the Sub-Committee on Oil Palm for successfully taking up the new project.

He said that the project has been taken up under the National Mission on oil seed and palm oil which aims to make India self-sufficient in edible oils and even export to other countries.

CM launches Manipur Oil Palm Project : Pix - DIPR

Stating that oil palm cultivation is suitable in warmer region, the Chief Minister informed that the Government has started the project after identifying suitable areas for its cultivation and the Government has identified areas in Chandel, Churachandpur, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Ukhrul and Thoubal Districts.

The oil palm cultivation could be an alternative to jhum cultivation and poppy cultivation as oil palm is the highest vegetable oil yielding perennial crop which can effectively generate income for farmers and is beneficial to the environment, he added.

Biren said that the climate assessing departments have identified 66,652 hectares of suitable land through satellite mapping out of which the Government has initially targeted to cultivate the oil palm on 200 hectares.

Under funding of the Central Government, the State has procured seeds from Mizoram and Andhra Pradesh and is planning to replace poppy plantation with oil palm cultivation in hill areas.

He maintained that the most important thing is continuation of the project through active participation of District Agriculture Officers and other officials concerned to ensure proper growth of the planted oil palm.

Such steps could help attain the aim of the State Government to make the State self-reliant and improve the economic status through exports of various products produced in the State, he added.

Director, Agriculture Laltanpuii Vanchhong gave a power point presentation on Oil Palm Project, Manipur.

It may be mentioned that Oil Palm Mission Manipur was constituted on August 20 this year with the Joint Director of Agriculture as Mission Director.

A Sub-Committee on Oil Palm was also constituted with Principal Secretary (Health), as Chairman comprising members from Central Agricultural University, ICAR Manipur Centre, Director MARSAC, Agriculture and Horticulture Departments.

Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) V Vumlunmang, Commissioner (Agriculture) M Joy and other officials also attended the programme.