The Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive, 2024 was organised from 15^th July, 2024 to 30^th September, 2024. Around 25 lakh planting materials were distributed among 15,755 farmers to cover more than 17,000 ha. area under Oil Palm cultivation in potential areas.

Oil Palm plantation under government program is promoted only in potential area having suitable agroclimatic conditions. As per Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, Oil Palm cultivation does not adversely affect the underground water availability and it requires less water compared to crops like Banana, Sugarcane and Rice. Besides, government is also promoting drip irrigation along with oil palm plantation by way of subsidy to ensure optimum utilisation of water. Further, soil fertility is not affected as oil palm produces high biomass in form of leaves and empty fruit bunches, which enable soil to regain its fertility.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Ram Nath Thakur in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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