HT Correspondent
BANDERDEWA, July 5: In a major push towards agricultural self-reliance and rural economic development, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh recently inaugurated a Custom Hiring Center (CHC) and launched a Mega Oil Palm Plantation Programme at Gorubanda in Banderdewa, Papum Pare district.
The initiative marks a significant milestone in the state’s implementation of the National Mission on Edible Oil – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), aimed at expanding oil palm cultivation and reducing India’s dependence on edible oil imports.
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According to an official statement, the event was held in the presence of Agriculture & Allied Minister Gabriel D Wangsu, who attended as Chief Guest.
Zilla Parishad Chairperson of Papum Pare, Nabam Yakum, graced the occasion as Guest of Honour.
The programme brought together farmers, government officials, private sector partners, and local stakeholders in a show of collective commitment to transform the agricultural landscape of the region.
The newly inaugurated Custom Hiring Center is expected to play a vital role in providing farmers with affordable and easy access to modern agricultural machinery.
This initiative, officials said, will not only enhance productivity but also address the labour challenges often faced by small and marginal farmers.
The center is envisioned as a farmer-friendly hub that reduces the cost of cultivation and promotes mechanised farming practices.
Simultaneously, the launch of the Mega Oil Palm Plantation Programme reflects the state government’s strategic plan to increase the acreage of oil palm cultivation under the NMEO-OP.
Arunachal Pradesh has identified significant potential for oil palm farming across multiple districts, including Papum Pare, and aims to contribute substantially to the national edible oil mission.
Minister Wangsu, in his address, encouraged the farmers of Papum Pare to embrace oil palm cultivation with seriousness and diligence.
He reiterated the state government’s full support, both technical and financial, to ensure the success of the programme.
“This is a high-potential sector that can transform rural livelihoods and generate long-term income for our farmers. I urge all farmers to stay informed, take initiative, and utilise the facilities provided under this mission,” the minister said.
The programme also featured active involvement from Patanjali Food Ltd., the private partner in this public-private collaboration.
Patanjali has been playing a leading role in promoting oil palm cultivation in the Northeast, setting up nurseries, providing planting materials, and investing in oil processing infrastructure.
DGM Pankaj Kumar Tripathi of Patanjali emphasized the company’s commitment to working closely with farmers and the government to make Arunachal Pradesh a model state for oil palm production.
ZPC Nabam Yakum, while addressing the gathering, called on farmers to seriously absorb the knowledge shared in awareness programmes and translate it into practice. She also appealed to the Agriculture Minister to extend maximum support to Papum Pare farmers, stressing that government encouragement would go a long way in motivating cultivators to adopt new crops and practices.
The Secretary of Agriculture urged farmers to make full use of the various schemes available under NMEO-OP and similar missions, stressing the importance of hard work, awareness, and adaptation.
The Deputy Commissioner of Papum Pare echoed this message and assured that the district administration was fully committed to facilitating the success of the programme.
During the event, local farmer representative Teli Hormin submitted a three-point memorandum to the Minister, requesting essential infrastructure support including a dedicated office for farmers, solar fencing, and access to reliable water supply for irrigation.
These demands were acknowledged as valid and essential for scaling up oil palm cultivation efforts in the district.
Director of Agriculture and the District Agriculture Officer (DAO) also addressed the gathering, underlining the department’s readiness to provide technical support, guidance, and timely interventions to ensure that oil palm cultivation becomes both profitable and sustainable.
The collaborative launch event, which saw wide participation from members of the Papum Pare District Oil Palm Farmer Association, was marked by optimism and resolve.
Farmers were seen engaging enthusiastically in discussions, indicating a positive shift in attitudes towards commercial cultivation under government and private sector guidance.
The CHC and Mega Oil Palm Plantation Programme represent an integrated approach to agricultural advancement—combining mechanisation, crop diversification, and market linkage—aligned with the national agenda of self-reliance in edible oil production and farmer empowerment in the Northeast.
