Palm Oil a gift of nature
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), is the crop of the present and future vegetable oil economy of world as well as India. A native of West Africa and popularly known as African oil palm or Red oil palm, it is known to be the highest edible oil yielding perennial crop.
Palm oil is derived from fleshy mesocarp of the fruit, which contains about 45-55% of oil and is rich in antioxidants & vitamins, one of which is vitamin E, which is critical for keeping immune system healthy. The Palm Kernel Oil, obtained from the kernel of stony seed, is a potential source of lauric oil. Both these oils have edible value and are in great demand.
Why Oil palm?
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), is the crop of the present and future vegetable oil economy of world as well as India. A native of West Africa and popularly known as African oil palm or Red oil palm, it is known to be the highest edible oil yielding perennial crop.
Palm oil is derived from fleshy mesocarp of the fruit, which contains about 45-55% of oil and is rich in antioxidants & vitamins, one of which is vitamin E, which is critical for keeping immune system healthy. The Palm Kernel Oil, obtained from the kernel of stony seed, is a potential source of lauric oil. Both these oils have edible value and are in great demand.
Oil Palm in Telangana - the way forward
Oil palm Area expansion is one of the Flagship programmes of the State. With the increased irrigation potential and considering the need for crop diversification to the demanded crops, the Telangana government is contemplating to take up Oil Palm cultivation in mission mode to meet the edible oil demand of the state and to contribute considerably to the nation.
Aims and Objectives
- To augment the availability of vegetable oils in the state.
- To cut down the import of edible oils by increasing domestic production and productivity of Oil palm.
- To promote crop diversification.
NMEO-OP-Program
Govt. of India has launched NMEO-OP in 2021-22 and now, the programme is being implemented in the entire State (except Hyderabad and Medchal-Malkajgiri). Considering the potentiality, it is proposed to promote oil palm in Telangana in a big way.
Under this mission, assistance will be provided for taking up area expansion, maintenance of oil palm gardens & inter-cropping for the initial (4) years, establishment of seed garden & Nurseries, Custom Hiring Centers, Capacity building for farmers & Department Officials, etc.
