Advisor Mhathung Yanthan with officials during the launching programme of Mega Oil Palm Plantation drive at the office of the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer, Baghty, in Wokha district on September 17. (DIPR Photo)
Says consultation with CM underway to earmark 30 acres for oil palm processing mill
Wokha, September 18 (MExN): The ‘Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive’ under the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) 2026-27 was launched at the office of the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO), Baghty, in Wokha district on September 17.
Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor, Agriculture, and Chairman, DPDB, Wokha launched the drive, stated a DIPR report. Addressing a gathering of local farmers and community leaders, the Advisor said it could be another milestone opportunity for farmers to create sustainable livelihoods and establish a long-term agricultural solution with large market-based enterprise that could transform the economic landscape of the region.
Yanthan said while the mission targets making India self-reliant in edible oil and reducing dependency on imports by boosting domestic production, it would also empower farmers by raising their income through engaged participation.
He said the foundational role of the farming community was considered paramount when the state government entered into partnership with "highly trustworthy, reputable and legitimate" implementing agencies for the oil palm mission.
Noting that the choice of farming depends on the individual farmer, he encouraged those already engaged in other cash crops such as coffee and rubber to conduct profit-yielding research and take up oil palm as an additional crop, which could offset other crops in the event of crop failure or environmental stress and provide a second revenue source.
Assuring stable returns, Yanthan said that once a processing mill is set up in Nagaland by the partnership implementing agency Godrej Agrovet, harvested oil palm fruits would be collected for processing within the state itself, ensuring stable financial return, safe rate regulation and a guaranteed marketplace.
For that he further said, “Consultation with Chief Minister of Nagaland, Dr Niephiu Rio is under process to earmark 30 Acres of land.”
Terming the national-scale oil palm mission a “mega step with a bright perspective,” he said the farming community had good reasons to feel motivated. He encouraged them to avail free quality planting materials, maintenance assistance during the first three to four years of the crop's gestation period, financial assistance for growing intercrops before oil palm fruiting, and tools and equipment.
Yanthan recalled his personal involvement during the initial years when rubber cultivation was introduced as an alternative cash crop in Wokha district in general and Baghty in particular, to shift local farmers from traditional jhum shifting cultivation to sustainable settled farming. He said he was happy to see Wokha grow into one of Nagaland's leading rubber-producing districts, engaging thousands of households across several villages.
Lauding the rubber growers, he said their diligence and hard work had paid off well and that many lives had visibly changed for the better over the course of thirty years.
Yanthan also expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his support in creating two additional SDAO offices for Wokha district under the Agriculture Department, one at Sanis and the other at Ralan, to assist, guide and support farming communities and ensure smooth functioning of the department.
In his keynote address, Deputy Director, Department of Agriculture, Ronchamo Kikon, said Nagaland has a long-term state target of around 15,000 hectares, focused on fertile foothill regions and cultivable wastelands under rain-fed conditions to avoid disrupting primary forest areas. He cautioned the farming community not to fall prey to negative campaigns “mostly made without proper scientific evidence and experimental knowledge.”
Senior Officer, Godrej Agrovet (GAVL) Nagaland, Dr Benjongtoshi Imchen, gave a PowerPoint presentation on “Scope and Marketing Potential of Oil Palm Cultivation,” highlighting key details of the drive, goals and support through partnership, scale of farming, boosting production and growth, implementation and further exploration, financial incentives and subsidies, reduction of palm oil imports, and farmer empowerment.
anager, GAVL Nagaland, Muthuselvan; Agriculture Officer, Baghty, Chumyani Ovung; Agriculture Officer, Baghty, L Subenthung Humtsoe; Nyanbeni Erui, Woman Pastor, BTBC; President, Lotha Middle Range Public Organisation, John Murry; and Pukhutu Chopy, Head GB, Mithihe Village, Northern Sumi Area, also spoke at the programme.
Later, Yanthan paid a “Farmers-Centred Tribute” on the 76th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by planting an oil palm sapling at the premises of the SDAO office, Baghty.
The launching programme was chaired by SDAO Baghty, Longshithung Odyuo.
