Kolkata, February 5, 2020: OPDPA (Oil Palm Developers and Processors Association), the nodal agency for Oil Palm development in India, hailed the AP Government’s move for sanctioning funds to the tune of 80.32 crore towards 1.7% OER for the year 2018 -2019. Oil Palm companies will receive the differential amounts as per their respective FFB purchase from farmers, this amount in turn will be reimbursed to the farmers at 1.7% OER.
Mr Sanjay Goenka, President of the Oil Palm Developers & Processors Association, expressed his happiness on releasing funds for Oil palm farmers and said “ it is a very positive move by the government and we thank the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for releasing funds to tune of 76.01 crore on behalf of the state Government to cover the price differential for oil palm farmers. This will not only boost the incomes of the farmers but also act as positive step towards motivating them to continue to expand cultivation of this highly productive and beneficial crop”
Totally one lakh hectares of oil palm cultivation is undertaken in the state and that the grant will benefit more than 1,20,000 oil palm farmers. This will keep farmers motivated to increase oil palm production.
One of the major contributors to the exchequer is imports of edible oil. Palm Oil is a very versatile oil with health benefits and increasing yields will help the nation save valuable foreign exchange, provides an opportunity for creating a source of income even from barren lands and is help the industry to increase employment. However, the industry is fighting a constant battle for survival and it is important to unveil major policy decisions by the Government to keep the industry viable.
The association is continuing its persuasion with the Government both at the state as well as the centre protect the interests of the Oil Palm farmer. Two of the major demands being pursued with the government is to bring in a strong MSP framework that insulates the farmer from market forces and to institute a separate Oil Palm Board.
About OPDPA:The Oil Palm Developers and Processors Association(OPDPA) is a consortium of companies that include 3F Oil Palm Agrotech Pvt. Ltd.,Godrej Agrovet Ltd., Navbharat Oils Ltd., Radhika Vegetable Oils Pvt. Ltd. and Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd., established to work towards the growth of the Oil Palm Industry. Despite a challenging policy and regulatory environment, over the last 2 decades the industry has grown from a ‘0’ hectares in oil palm then to a respectable 200,000 hectares across several states including the North East. The industry has a huge potential to help India bridge the country’s edible oil deficit, generate several thousand jobs and help in nation building.
No comments:
Post a Comment