Plantation Crops

Constraints in the development of oil palm in India

(In identified irrigated project areas)

Acceptance by farmers
It is required to educate farmers so as to convince them accept oil palm cultivation (which is totally new crop to India) by replacing existing crops in some areas. Follow up. Demonstration plots of 55 palms each have been established.
Long pre bearing period
The long juvenile period ( >3 years) of atleast 3 ½ years for getting yield makes the necessity of
a) Institutional finance: Through lead bank and NABARD etc.
b) Incentives to take up oil palm cultivation ---Eg. Subsidized inputs and planting materials, irrigation facility etc.
c) Buy back guarantee:
Availability of quality planting material
Though seedlings are produced at CPCRI Research Center at Palode, there is need to import quality planting materials from other countries.
Processing facility at reasonable distance
Since fruit bunches have to be crushed with in 24 hours of harvest, simultaneous establishment of processing units is necessary. Assured and timely procurement of FFB from the farmer is suggested. Public sector companies are coming forward for the establishment of factories.
Size of holding in India is very small
To run a processing unit profitably the plantation should be on a large scale.