Bhubaneswar: In a major move to boost edible oil production, the Odisha government, represented by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three palm oil companies for four districts under the aegis of the Directorate of Horticulture.
This landmark step aims to establish a large-scale oil palm cultivation project in the state, promising to enhance agricultural productivity, industrial growth, and employment opportunities.
As per the MoU, palm oil companies will collaborate with the state to develop extensive palm oil plantations. This initiative is expected to usher in a new era of agricultural and industrial progress while ensuring better prices for farmers and generating substantial job opportunities. The districts covered under this agreement include Angul, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, and Cuttack, with the companies involved being Patanjali Foods Limited (Cuttack), Tummala Agro Products Private Limited (Angul), and Liv Palm Resources Private Limited (Dhenkanal and Jajpur).
Speaking at the event, Singh Deo welcomed the palm oil companies’ representatives and emphasised the partnership’s transformative potential. “This MoU will boost oil palm cultivation in Odisha, leading to increased edible oil production. It will enhance farmers’ income, create rural employment, and improve the socio-economic condition of farming communities,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the agreement would foster an investor-friendly environment for agro-industries in Odisha, benefiting farmers, youth, and workers alike.
The representatives of the palm oil companies echoed this optimism, pledging to leverage advanced technology and fresh investments to tap into Odisha’s immense potential in oil palm cultivation. Under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) scheme, this program is set to drive sustainable agricultural growth in the state.
The signing ceremony was attended by key officials, including Arabinda Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department, Shubham Saxena, Director of Agriculture, Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, Director of Horticulture, and other senior departmental officials.
