"Arunachal Pradesh offers great Potential for the Cultivation of Oil Palm." stated Pema Khandu

ITANAGAR: On the first week of September HCM Pema requested the Centre for increasing the area under oil palm cultivation in the state to 12,000-15,000 hectares in the first year of the Centre’s new mission to boost its production. Similarly, on 28th September 2021, the Khandu led BJP government have sought the cultivation of Palm oil in the state, wherein the HCM himself posted on his social media account stating, "Arunachal Pradesh offers great Potential for the Cultivation of Oil Palm."

Why in the News?

HCM took to this Twitter and other social media account Signalling the importance of the Oil Palm in the state and its future cultivation. A series of meetings were held with various stakeholders regarding the way forward in the cultivation and production of aroma oil and palm oil in the state on a mission mode.

Who are the Stakeholder?

The stakeholders are from the Lucknow-based Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Hyderabad-based 3F Industries Ltd, Andhra Pradesh-based Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd and Ghaziabad-based Dabur India Ltd.

They submitted their proposals to the chief minister, who was accompanied by advisor to agri-horti minister Gabriel D Wangsu, advisor to the state government HK Paliwal, the Agri production commissioner, the planning commissioner, the agri-horti secretary and the agriculture director.

What is the Update?

The institute Medicinal and Aromatic Plants has shown an interest in collaborating with the state government in the production of aromatic plants such as mint, scented geranium, rosemary, citronella, lemongrass, vetiver, patchouli, etc.

"The institute has proposed to implement the project initially in 15 districts for commercial cultivation and processing of aromatic crops" 

Phase:1

The following shall be the plan under phase 1:

East Siang:  To grow lemongrass, patchouli, and peppermint.

West Kameng: lemongrass, geranium and peppermint

Namsai: lemongrass, citronella, rosemary and patchouli in; rosemary

Tawang: rose and geranium in, and geranium, 

Shi-Yomi: rose and salvia .

Apart from the growth of aforesaid plants, the institute envisages to extensively engage in the sustainable supply of medicinal plants and beekeeping in the state.

Any industry working presently in the state pertaining to the Oil Palm

3F Industries since 2012 in Lower Dibang Valley and Ruchi Soya Industries has been working for the East Siang district since 2014, and later on to follow in the district of West Siang, Lower Siang, Papumpare and Pakke-kessang in 2016.

The Ruchi soya industry will invest Rs 500-plus crores on nurseries, extension and palm oil factories/refineries. The Pema Khandu led government will have a discussion on availing the required amount of land for the establishment.

However, HCM Pema Khandu earlier had made its stand clear that with the process of development and progress, the natural environment must not be harmed.

Reactions of the Citizens

The citizens have expressed distress over the plan for Oil Palm cultivation in the state claiming the cultivation would be rather disastrous to existing ecology. Social Activist like Jarjum Ete has also bellowed against the state government's move for oil palm cultivation.

The challenges and bottlenecks are an inevitable dogmas in the process of progress for any Nation-State. 

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