Mizoram Chief Minister met DoNER minister

The discussions focused on enhancing the yield of oil palm farmers per hectare by addressing their needs and establishing a Samadhan Centre in Mizoram. They also deliberated on setting up an oil palm refinery to support the existing mill's operations and improve its efficiency.

Additionally, various projects submitted by the Government of Mizoram to the Ministry of DoNER, which have been pending for many years, were also discussed.

The rapid increase in land degradation due to jhumming and deforestation threatens ecological balance and affects farming communities. To encourage Oil Palm cultivation in Mizoram, the state has passed the Mizoram Oil Palm (Regulation of Production and Processing) Act, 2004 for implementing Oil Palm cultivation in PPP mode involving the State Agriculture Department, partner companies for setting up Oil Extraction plants, and farmers.

The cultivation of Oil Palm in Mizoram began in 2005 after the Mizoram Legislative Assembly passed the Act. Different committees were constituted at different levels for the development of Oil Palm cultivation in Mizoram, including the State Level Oil Palm Advisory Committee, Project Management Committee, Price fixation Committee on Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs), District Level Oil Palm Zonal Committee, and Village Level Oil Palm Growers Association.

Partner companies Godrej Agrovet Pvt.Ltd., 3F Oil Palm Agrotech Pvt. Ltd., and Ruchi Soya Indutries Ltd. were selected for partnership companies. The State Government made an Agreement with the Partner Companies for Oil Palm Development in the State, insinuating that they would develop Oil Palm nursery, produce quality planting materials, provide extension support to growers, assist farmers in availing loans from commercial banks/cooperative banks, and help in mode of repayment as needed.

The Central Government has introduced different schemes and programs for Oil Palm development in the country with its own tenure. The different Oil Palm development schemes implemented in Mizoram have achieved various physical and financial achievements. Oil Pam must be grown in areas below 900 meters (MSL) and district wise.