A crucial one-day workshop focusing on sustainable oil palm cultivation in Nagaland, addressing both its challenges and opportunities, was successfully held at Agri-Expo Chümoukedima on May 23rd. The event aimed to disseminate scientific research and factual information on oil palm cultivation, bringing together experts from the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) in the Northeast.
Experts Share Insights on Sustainable Practices
Distinguished resource persons, Ashwin Selvaraj, Deputy Director, Market Transformation, and Head of India & China Region, RSPO, along with Dr. K. Manorama, Principal Scientist, Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR, Pedavegi, Andhra Pradesh), delivered key presentations. Their discussions centered on the importance of sustainable oil palm plantations, providing conceptual clarity and a contextual comparison between Southeast Asia and India. They also highlighted best practices for environmental management in sustainable palm oil plantations and delved into the realities, myths, and sustainable pathways for oil palm in Northeast India.
Nagaland’s Vision for Oil Palm Expansion
Sanuzo Nienu, Director of Agriculture, outlined Nagaland’s ambitious five-year target (2021-22 to 2025-26) to cultivate 15,000 hectares of oil palm. This expansion will adopt a cluster approach in the State’s highly potential foothill areas, meticulously avoiding disturbance to natural forests and biodiversity. The cultivation zones have been strategically divided:
* Zone I: Peren, Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Niuland, and Wokha.
* Zone II: Mokokchung, Longleng, and Mon.
Mr. Nienu also indicated plans for a comprehensive Oil Palm Act to establish a robust regulatory framework. He highlighted that an impressive 6,053 hectares have already been covered across the state, with 1,126.91 hectares currently in the fruit-bearing stage.
To drive this initiative forward, the State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in January 2023 with Godrej Agrovet Private Limited (GAVL) for the development and expansion of oil palm cultivation and processing in Zone-I. Similarly, Patanjali Foods Ltd (formerly Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd) is partnering for Zone-II. These collaborations fall under the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP).
The State is keen to create vital employment opportunities. Nagaland explores sustainable oil palm cultivation, as a high-value crop with higher economic returns per hectare and Viability Gap Funding (VGF) offered by the Government of India under NMEO-OP, is envisioned as a boon for subsistence farmers, offering a more lucrative alternative to other oilseed and plantation crops.
Infrastructure and Future Growth
To support the growing cultivation, two nurseries have already been established in Tuli and Niuland, with two more in the pipeline for Tizit and Chümoukedima. Both implementing partners have successfully completed the buy-back of approximately 200 metric tonnes of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs). Furthermore, around 630 hectares of new plantations were established in 2024-25, with planting for the 2025-26 season commencing in May.
The workshop also featured a presentation on the scientific aspects of oil cultivation by Renchamo Kikon, Deputy Director of Agriculture. The program was efficiently chaired by Z. Hukhato Sema, Joint Director of Agriculture.
Considering Nagaland’s commitment to sustainable practices, what role do you think local tourism packages could play in promoting the state’s burgeoning green initiatives and oil palm cultivation efforts?
Nagaland explores sustainable oil palm cultivation, this emphasis the state’s proactive and responsible approach to agricultural development. By bringing together scientific expertise, government vision, and private partnerships, Nagaland is meticulously navigating the opportunities and challenges of oil palm expansion. The strategic focus on sustainable practices, biodiversity protection, and economic upliftment for farmers, coupled with ongoing infrastructure development, positions Nagaland as a potential leader in responsible agricultural growth within the Northeast. This holistic approach, from nurseries to market buy-back, aims to ensure that oil palm cultivation becomes a true boon for the state’s economy and its people, all while upholding ecological integrity.