Agartala, Dec 13: The Tripura government has announced plans to bring 7,000 hectares of wasteland under oil palm cultivation by the 2026-27 financial year. This initiative is part of the National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) aimed at boosting edible oil production in the state.

While the Centre initially identified 7,000 hectares for oil palm cultivation, a 2020 reassessment by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, using digital mapping, found that 146,000 hectares in Tripura are suitable for such farming.

P B Jamatia, Director of the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department, stated that Tripura’s favorable agro-climate makes it an ideal location for oil palm cultivation. The state is actively working towards achieving this target to contribute to the country’s edible oil production.