NATIONAL MISSION FOR EDIBLE OILS - OIL PALM (NMEO-OP)

18-03-2024

The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the first oil palm processing mill under Mission Palm Oil in Arunachal Pradesh.

The State Department of Agriculture, State Department of Horticulture, Central University, ICAR-Institutions, CDDs, SAUs, KVKs, Central Agencies/Cooperatives, Oil palm processors/ Associations, DD Kisan, AIR, DD, TV channels will be the implementation stakeholders of the NMEO-Oil palm.

National Mission for Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)

NMEO-OP, launched by the Government of India in August 2021, aims to substantially increase oil palm cultivation and crude palm oil production.
It is a centrally sponsored scheme

Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) are schemes that are implemented by state governments of India but are largely funded by the central government with a defined state government share.

Special focus on the North East region and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The focus is on increasing the area and productivity of oilseeds and oil palm.

Scheme Outlay:

A financial outlay of Rs. 11,040 crores have been made for the scheme.
Rs. 8,844 crore is the Government of India share
Rs. 2,196 crore is the State share.
This includes the viability gap funding also.

Targets:

To increase the area of oil palm to 10 lakh hectares from 3.5 lakh hectares during 2019-20 by 2025-26 (an additional 6.50 lakh ha).
To increase the Crude Palm Oil production from 0.27 lakh tonnes during 2019-20 to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26.
Increase consumer awareness to maintain a consumption level of 19.00kg/person/annum till 2025-26.

Features:

Assistance for planting material
Inputs for intercropping up to a gestation period of 4 years and for maintenance
Establishment of seed gardens, nurseries, micro-irrigation
Bore well/pump set/water harvesting structure
Vermi compost units
Solar pumps
Harvesting tools
Custom hiring center cum harvester groups
Farmers and officers' training
Replanting of old oil palm gardens

What is Asian Palm Oil Alliance:

Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA) is a not-for-profit alliance of palm oil-consuming countries of Asia for sustainable palm oil.
It would strengthen Asia's role in palm oil sustainability disclosure.
The Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA) was established by the Apex Solvent Extractors Association from five South Asian nations – India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka

Vision: “Palm oil is recognized as a high-quality, economical, and healthy vegetable oil that contributes to SDGs attainment in developing countries”

Objectives

Improved trade in sustainable palm oil in Asia is needed.
Cooperation among members is necessary to ensure an efficient, economic, and regular supply.
Policy recommendations are important to protect the economic and commercial interests of palm-oil consuming countries.
Creating a level playing field for all fats and oils used in food and feed in Asia is crucial.
Collecting, collating, and disseminating statistical data, research, and other information on sustainable palm oil production and consumption in Asia is significant.

Oil Palm Production in India

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), which originated in West Africa, is a comparatively new crop in India and has the highest vegetable oil yield potential per hectare.
It produces two different oils, i.e., palm oil and palm kernel oil, which are used for culinary as well as industrial purposes.
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala are the major oil palm producing states and account for 98% of the total production.
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat and Mizoram also have large area under palm oil cultivation.

Q1) What is intercropping?

Intercropping is the practice of growing two or more crops side by side. The most common goal of intercropping is to produce a higher yield on a given piece of land by making effective use of resources without affecting the yield of the main crop.