GUWAHATI, Oct 27: The Assam government has approved oil palm cultivation on up to 5% of unused tea garden land as part of its efforts to expand horticulture and create additional income opportunities for farmers.
Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika announced the initiative at a stakeholder conference on oil palm cultivation in tea gardens organised by the Agriculture Department in Guwahati on October 26.
Addressing concerns about the crop, Hazarika said misconceptions surrounding oil palm cultivation needed to be dispelled, claiming that its water requirements were comparable to those of paddy. He also stressed that expanding domestic oil production could reduce India’s dependence on edible oil imports and ensure that more economic benefits reached farmers.
The state has set a target of bringing 15,000 hectares under oil palm cultivation and extending irrigation facilities to 30,000 hectares over the next five years. The government also plans to encourage multiple crops on unused tea garden land, with particular emphasis on the Barak Valley.
Under its horticulture expansion programme, the Agriculture Department will provide tea gardens with saplings of litchi, dragon fruit and areca nut. From next year, the government plans to distribute five crore horticultural saplings annually across the state.
Tea garden owners will also be taken on exposure visits to Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh to familiarise them with oil palm cultivation practices. Hazarika said the initiative could generate an income of up to Rs 50,000 per bigha for farmers.
Separately, the minister reviewed fertiliser distribution with supplying agencies and warned against overcharging, artificial shortages and practices that increase farmers’ financial burden.
He said farmers must receive subsidised fertilisers at government-regulated prices and that suppliers could not compel them to purchase unrelated products alongside fertilisers.
Hazarika also cautioned suppliers against passing additional transportation costs or expenses arising from the distance to railway rake points on to farmers and local retailers. He warned of legal action against those found exploiting retailers or disrupting fertiliser supplies.
The minister said ensuring timely availability of fertilisers and protecting farmers from unfair pricing remained key priorities for the state government.
