Following significant backlash from conservationists and other stakeholders over the government’s promotion of oil palm cultivation in Nagaland, Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor for Agriculture, has “endorsed” calls for broad-based consultations to ensure a sustainable agricultural roadmap for the state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Yanthan expressed deep appreciation for the commitment shown by stakeholders to protect Nagaland’s ecological and social integrity. He acknowledged their call for a transparent and informed dialogue on the long-term implications of oil palm cultivation.
“As the MLA and Advisor for Agriculture, I deeply appreciate their (stakeholders’) commitment to safeguarding Nagaland’s ecological and social integrity. Their suggestions for fostering a transparent and informed dialogue on the long-term implications of oil palm cultivation are highly valued,” Yanthan said.
He explained that the state government, through the Department of Agriculture, has been promoting oil palm cultivation under the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP),recognizing its potential to improve rural livelihoods and boost the agricultural economy. However, Yanthan emphasized that such initiatives must be approached with sensitivity to Nagaland’s unique socio-environmental landscape.
“I fully agree that such initiatives must be pursued with sensitivity to the unique socio- environmental landscape of our state. Any developmental intervention must adhere to the principles of sustainability, inclusiveness, and ecological balance,” he stated.
The department had introduced oil palm cultivation in 2015-16 after a careful study of its economic, social, and environmental impacts, targeting 15,000 hectares in jhum fallow areas across the state. Yanthan also assured that the government has been in continuous consultation with globally renowned sustainable oil palm groups.
“While clarifications have been issued on various ‘myths and facts’ surrounding oil palm cultivation, based on scientific findings from the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, concerns persist regarding its complex environmental, social, and cultural implications.
“These concerns can neither be ignored nor oversimplified. They require a holistic, participatory, and evidence-based approach that considers the perspectives of farmers, environmental experts, civil society organizations, and local communities. In this regard, I, along with the department of Agriculture, fully endorse the need for broad-based stakeholder consultations to ensure transparent public engagement and critical deliberations,” he said.
Yanthan further explained that the consultations would also assess the environmental impacts of other plantation and field crops, the implications for local communities’ livelihoods and traditional practices, and explore sustainable alternatives to ensure that agricultural policies benefit farmers while preserving the state’s natural resources.
“I encourage experts, organizations, farmers, and all concerned parties to partner with us in formulating a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable agriculture in Nagaland. The Department of Agriculture will soon initiate a platform to facilitate this much-needed dialogue,” he added.
He also welcomed the active participation of civil society organizations, farmers, researchers, and conservationists to ensure that the agricultural policies promote economic opportunities while upholding ecological responsibility.