Tripura has achieved over 50% of its 7,000-hectare oil palm cultivation target for FY 2025–26, said Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath. With government support and high market potential, palm oil farming is expanding rapidly in the state, aligning with PM Modi’s vision of edible oil self-sufficiency in India.
Tripura has successfully covered more than half of its targeted land for oil palm cultivation, a major stride toward ensuring self-sufficiency in edible oil production, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced on Monday.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive at Taltala in West Tripura district, Minister Nath informed that nearly 4,000 hectares of land have already been brought under oil palm cultivation out of the 7,000 hectares targeted for the financial year 2025–26.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, the Minister said, “India has achieved self-sufficiency in various agricultural domains such as fish, rice, and vegetables. However, we are still dependent on imports for edible oil. To change this scenario, the Government of India has taken strategic steps to promote oil palm cultivation, especially in the northeastern and southern states, including Tripura.”
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned a self-reliant India in edible oil production, and under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), Tripura is taking a leading role in the Northeast.
Why Oil Palm Cultivation?
Nath elaborated that palm oil has vast demand and versatile use, making it a profitable crop for farmers. “Palm oil never faces a market downturn. Its price only goes up. It is widely used for cooking and industrial purposes, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, bio-lubricants, and biofuels. That’s why farmers should not hesitate to invest in it,” he said.
He also pointed out that unlike rubber plantations, where no other crop can be grown between trees, palm oil plantations allow for intercropping. “Farmers can grow additional crops between the palm trees, and the government will provide comprehensive support—from clearing bushes to providing quality saplings and technical guidance,” he added.
Historical and Scientific Backing
Tripura’s journey with oil palm began in 2012 when the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC) of the Government of India identified 7,000 hectares of land in the state suitable for oil palm cultivation. However, a major boost came in 2020 when the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (ICAR-IIOPR) re-evaluated the state’s potential using satellite mapping and identified a massive 1,46,364 hectares of suitable land.
“The Union Ministry of Agriculture has now set a firm target of bringing 7,000 hectares under oil palm in Tripura within this financial year,” Nath said.
He emphasized that the State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, along with its Horticulture and Land Conservation divisions, are working rigorously to achieve this target.
Government Commitment and Farmer Benefits
Under the centrally sponsored scheme, the government is offering various incentives to make palm cultivation viable and attractive. These include subsidized saplings, technical training, and financial assistance for land preparation and maintenance.
Minister Nath reassured farmers about the guaranteed buyback mechanism, ensuring that no farmer will face difficulty in selling their produce. “The government is committed to supporting every farmer who chooses to adopt oil palm cultivation. This crop has the potential to transform rural economies in Tripura,” he stated.
With over 4,000 hectares already cultivated, Tripura is well on its way to achieving its target under the NMEO-OP. The successful implementation of the scheme could not only make the state a major contributor to India’s edible oil self-sufficiency mission but also uplift the livelihoods of thousands of farmers across the region.
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As the central and state governments continue to work hand-in-hand, Tripura’s oil palm story is emerging as a model of agricultural transformation in the Northeast.
