Agartala, Oct 19 The Tripura government has set a target to bring 6,000 hectares under oil palm cultivation in the current financial year (2026-27) to boost production in the northeastern state, an official said on Monday.
“Of the target of 6,000 hectares, 4,700 hectares have already been brought under oil palm cultivation, while the remaining 1,300 hectares will be covered by March,” Director of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Horticulture departments PB Jamatia told PTI.
The state currently has more than 10,000 oil palm growers, he said.
“We are sensitising people to take up oil palm cultivation because it is more economically viable for people living in the hilly areas of the state,” Jamatia said.
The government has been providing oil palm saplings free of cost through nurseries operated by private parties, he said.
“Apart from the free distribution of oil palm saplings, the Centre is also providing financial assistance to growers for four years to encourage farmers to take up the new cultivation,” he said.
Explaining the benefits of oil palm cultivation, Jamatia said farmers could grow other crops alongside oil palm, unlike in rubber plantations, thereby generating additional income.
“An oil palm plant takes four years to mature and can remain productive for 30 years. The Centre has already announced an assured price for oil palm seeds, which means growers will get a reasonable price,” he said.
Asserting that the state’s agro-climatic conditions were suitable for oil palm cultivation, Jamatia said the department planned to bring 10,000 hectares under the crop in the next financial year (2027-28).
The state government has also initiated steps to set up oil palm processing factories at Nalkata in North Tripura district and Belbari in West Tripura district, he said.
“We expect the two oil palm processing factories to be ready for operation by the end of December 2027. Oil palm growers will benefit once processing facilities become available in the state,” Jamatia said.
(PTI News)
