State to cover eight districts; MoUs signed with Godrej Agrovet Ltd and Patanjali Foods for market linkage
In order to reduce India’s dependence on imported edible oils and strengthen the rural economy, the Department of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland on Friday launched a “Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive” under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) 2025–26 at Doyapur Council Hall, Chumoukedima.
The initiative will cover eight districts in Nagaland, focusing on foothill areas suitable for oil palm cultivation, with the government aiming to create a self-sustaining ecosystem for production while generating employment opportunities.
Delivering the keynote address, DAO Chumoukedima Moainla Pongen said the program marks the beginning of an economic transformation for the region, noting that India currently imports nearly 60 percent of its edible oil requirement, resulting in significant expenditure.
She said the mission seeks to bridge this gap by expanding domestic production, while ensuring sustainable cultivation practices, including use of wastelands and promotion of intercropping.
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 cultivation would be carried out in a sustainable manner, making use of wastelands while also promoting intercropping practices.
To support farmers, the Department has entered into MoUs with Godrej Agrovet Ltd. and Patanjali Foods, ensuring assured market linkages. Godrej Agrovet is also planning to set up custom hiring centres at Doyapur, a one-stop solution centre, and a nursery at Dhansiripar.
Speaking at the event, SDO (Civil) Dhansiripar Vejoyo Swuro, NCS, said the initiative has the potential to generate employment and urged farmers to adopt sustainable practices for long-term benefits. He assured that the district administration would extend full support to the farming community.
Pongen further stated that the government will provide free saplings, financial assistance, and remunerative pricing, along with field-level support to ensure the success of the programme. She called for active collaboration between stakeholders to drive the mission forward.
NMEO-OP is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2021, designed to achieve self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in edible oils. Its primary goal is to significantly increase domestic Crude Palm Oil (CPO) production and expand oil palm cultivation areas to reduce India’s heavy reliance on expensive imports.
Short speeches were delivered by Senior Officer, GAVL Dr. Benjongtoshi Imchen and Manager (Market Development, GAVL) Muthuselvan. The program was chaired by Kevin Solo, SDAO and vote of thanks was proposed by Agriculture Officer Meciesunu Sakhrie. The event saw active participation from local farmers and village council members. (Source: DIPR)
