There is a huge demand for palm oil in the state. Therefore, palm oil plantations are being raised to make the people of the country and the state self-reliant, said Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath during inauguration of a mega palm oil plantation programme at Santinagar village of Belbari block under Jirania sub-division of West Tripura.

At the programme, the Agriculture Minister first inaugurated the programme by sprinkling water on the saplings of palm trees. This programme was organized under the initiative of Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department in collaboration with Patanjali Food Limited. The Agriculture Minister also said that the farmers will benefit if palm trees are cultivated commercially.

Speaking with media persons after the inauguration programme, the Agriculture Minister said that many lands are still lying vacant in the hilly areas of the state. The government has taken various programmes to make the farmers economically self-reliant by utilizing these lands. That is why priority has been given to the production of cash crops. The Agriculture Minister took an example of Rosen Debbarma, an educated M.Tech degree holder from this area, who has planted palm trees on his three hectares of land.

MLA Biswajit Kalai speaking at the programme said the palm oil plantation in the state is a timely step. If the lands in rural areas are brought under palm cultivation, people of the tribal areas will benefit economically. Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department Apurba Roy said in the programme that from July 25 across India, mega Palm Oil Plantation Programme has started. This programme will end on 5th August, 2023. As a part of it, Mega Palm Oil Plantation Programme was held yesterday at Santinagar Village. On behalf of Patanjali Food Ltd. Dr. Subhash Bhattacharya and MDC Ganesh Debbarma spoke among others at the programme. Welcome speech was given by Director of Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department Dr. Phani Bhushan Jamatia. Director of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department Sharadindu Das, Chairman of Belbari BAC Roken Debbarma were present at the programme. Agriculture Supervisor of Jirania Agricultural Sub-Division Subrata Das gave vote of thanks. After the programme, the guests planted palm trees.