HT Correspondent
DIMAPUR, March 20: Nagaland agriculture department launched a mega oil palm plantation drive under the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) 2025-26 at Doyapur in Chumoukedima on Friday.
NMEO-OP is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2021, designed to achieve self-reliance in edible oils.
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Its primary aim is to significantly increase domestic crude palm oil production and expand oil palm cultivation areas to reduce India’s heavy reliance on expensive imports.
Addressing the gathering, Dhansiripar SDO (Civil) Vejoyo Swuro said the initiative would generate employment opportunities for the public, urging the citizens to avail and benefit from such schemes.
Swuro assured that the district administration would extend all possible support to the farming community.
Delivering the keynote address, Chumoukedima district agriculture officer Moainla Pongen said the programme marked the beginning of an economic transformation for the region, with a focus on reducing India’s dependency on imported palm oil.
She pointed out that the country currently imports nearly 60% of its domestic requirement, resulting in significant annual expenditure, stating that the NMEO-OP seeks to address this gap by creating a self-sustaining ecosystem for production.
Pongen said the initiative in Nagaland will primarily cover eight districts, focusing on foothill areas suitable for oil palm cultivation.
Addressing concerns surrounding the crop, she clarified that oil palm is a viable and efficient option due to its better root system and comparatively lower water usage than crops like sugarcane.
She further assured that oil palm cultivation would be carried out in a sustainable manner, making use of wastelands while also promoting intercropping practices.
Pongen added that the agriculture department has entered into MoUs with Godrej Agrovet Ltd and Patanjali Foods to ensure assured market linkages for farmers.
