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OPDPA lauds Central govt initiative on 100% FDI in oil palm plantations
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
November 30 , 2015
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The Oil Palm Developers and Processors Association (OPDPA), the nodal
body for oil palm development in India, in a press release issued here
recently, has lauded the initiative taken by the Central government,
allowing 100% FDI in oil palm plantations.
According to the body,
this is one of the important steps in helping fill the gap of edible
oil deficit in India. India today, has more than two lakh hectare under
oil palm, with an additional potential of around two million hectare.
“With this positive step from the Government of India, this massive
potential can be cashed into and India’s palm oil import burden of US$10
billion can be reduced,” said Sanjay Goenka, president, OPDPA.
OPDPA
has put forth the following suggestions to redress the ongoing issues
being faced by the oil palm farmers/industry and for accelerated
development of oil palm:
- Long-term subsidy policy to support the farmer needed
- Viable
FFB formula to be put in place that takes into account some valid costs
of the industry that are conveniently omitted in the current formula.
As a result of this, the industry cannot invest in expansion very
aggressively
- A separate palm oil import policy needs to be put
in place. The current import duty levels are not supportive to oil palm
farmers and the industry
- Relaxation of land ceiling norms for
oil palm growth, to allow large-scale plantation, in addition to the
present contract farming mode
- Formation of a separate oil palm
development board to aid the promotion of the industry as planned by the
government. This will also help address issues facing the farmer/
industry on a regular and on a priority basis, which presently is
largely going unattended and is one of the reasons for poor palm oil
development in the country
The above steps will go a long way
in protecting the interests of all stakeholders i.e. domestic farmers,
workers, industry and Government of India, paving way for the country to
reach a stage of self-sufficiency in edible oil.
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