Banderdewa, Jul 4: Minister for Agriculture, Horti, etc., Gabriel Wangsu inaugurated a Consumer Hiring Center(CHCs) under the National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) at Gorband under Banderdewa circle on Friday.
The CHCs will be a one stop solution for all required machines and tools for the oil palm farmers. It will enable farmers to access tractors and modern farming equipment at nominal charges, making large-scale cultivation more accessible. Agreements between the department and farmer groups will guide implementation, with clauses allowing revocation in case of default.
This is a significant step by the Department of Agriculture towards a sustainable agricultural transformation. The event saw the convergence of government officials, progressive farmers, and stakeholders from the agri-business sector.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making oil palm cultivation a flagship agricultural movement in Arunachal Pradesh. He declared that the government stands as a witness, testimony, and guarantor to the successful establishment of palm oil production in the state.
Wangsu underlined that oil palm is a national priority crop given India’s high demand and dependence on imports. With a target of 40,000 hectares set for Arunachal Pradesh for the CFY 2025-2026, he urged all stakeholders for collaborative efforts to achieve the target.
He emphasized that the government is serious about taking the lead in this sector, and after several pilot experiments across different locations, the state is now seeing large-scale mass plantation—with 50% areas already well-planted under the scheme.
Highlighting the strength of the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for oil palm under the National Mission, he issued a clarion call to farmers, youth, and all stakeholders to join the movement, reiterating that palm oil cultivation represents not only a path to economic self-reliance but also a national responsibility.
The Minister also urged Patanjali Foods Pvt. Ltd. an Oil Palm Developer & Processor Company to operate with truthfulness and transparency, especially in the supply of planting materials and also called upon Patanjali to take greater responsibility in training farmers and building their technical know-how.
The Minister further encouraged the farmers to proactively monitor and report any shortcomings by company representatives or government officials, ensuring accountability at all levels.
Replying to the memorandum submitted by the President of All Arunachal Pradesh Oil Palm Farmers’ Association,  Hormin Camdir Teli seeking funds for office-cum-training center for the association and harvesting structure on the Oil Palm fields;  allocation of barbed wire fencing and solar fencings, the Minister assured to review and look into the matter.
Deputy Commissioner Papum Pare, Ms. Vishakha Yadav, highlighted the critical issue of India’s high dependency on imported edible oil. “More than 40,000 crore rupees is spent annually by the Government of India on importing palm oil. It is time we change this narrative by empowering our local farmers and scaling up domestic production,” she said. Assuring continuous administrative support, the DC encouraged farmers to actively engage in oil palm cultivation for long-term prosperity.
T.D. Neckom, Director Agriculture-cum- State Nodal Officer (SNO), spoke on the genesis of oil palm cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh, tracing it back to feasibility studies conducted in 2013 under the leadership of then Agriculture Minister Setong Sena. He noted that this is the first time a structured market linkage has been created by the department for oil palm produce.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
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