Eluru, January, 2020: OPDPA (Oil Palm Developers and Processors Association), the nodal agency for Oil Palm development in India, hailed the AP Government’s move for sanctioning funds to the tune of 80.32 crore towards 1.7% OER for the year 2018 -2019. Farmers will receive differential amounts based on FFBs supplied in the Oil Year November 2018- October 2019.

Mr Sanjay Goenka, President of the Oil Palm Developers & Processors Association, expressed his happiness on releasing funds for Oil palm farmers  and said “ it is a very positive move by the government and we thank the  Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for releasing funds to tune of 76.01 crore on behalf of the state Government to cover the price differential for oil palm farmers. This will not only boost the incomes of the farmers but also act as positive step towards motivating them to continue to expand cultivation of this highly productive and beneficial crop. This proactive move will also help the entire nation in realising the dream of self-sufficiency in edible oil”

Totally, around two lakh hectares of oil palm cultivation is undertaken in the state and this grant will benefit more than 3 lakh oil palm farmers, thereby ensuring highest levels of agriculture income to the farmer.

One of the major contributors to the national exchequer is import of edible oil with the lion’s share of the import attributable to Palm Oil. This proactive move by the state government will help boost cultivation of Oil Palm, thereby increase yields and help the nation save valuable foreign exchange. While the state governments decision comes as a welcome relief, the industry is fighting a constant battle for survival and it is important to unveil major long term policy decisions by the Central Government to keep the industry viable.

The association is continuing its persuasion with the Government both at the state as well as the center to protect the interests of the Oil Palm farmer and industry at large. Two of the major demands being pursued with the government is to bring in a strong MSP framework that insulates the farmer from market forces and to institute a separate Oil Palm Board to take care of all policy related concerns.