Maksam Tayeng

PASIGHAT, Aug 19: 

The Oil Palm plantation project which was introduced in East Siang district in April 2016, may finally see the light of day as the plants are flowering in many of the plots which were cultivated in the first phase. The plants achieving inflorescence signifies that they are ready to produce Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB).

Introduced by the Agriculture Department after inking MoU with M/s. Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd, around 230 hectares of land was planted with Oil Palm by farmers of Pasighat, Mebo, Oyan-Sille, Ruksin, Bilat and Nari block.

Manager of the firm, Mr. Muthuselvan informed that, Oil Palm usually starts flowering after 14 to 16 months of planting, but flowering here may start earlier as the climatic conditions is conducive.

He has also started demonstration of ablation (removal of flowers) in the plots, as Oil Palm trees are to be ablated for minimum 12 to 16 months in order to have vigorous growth and get good yields in future.

Muthuselvan further informed that Lower Dibang Valley has taken to Oil Palm cultivation in a big way.

According to agriculture department here, the farmers are satisfied as the plants have achieved good growth and adaptability to local conditions. Almost all beneficiaries have received their subsidized payment in their bank accounts through DBD (Direct Bank Deposit) after spot verification by respective block ADAs, sources informed.

Oil Palm is a perennial plantation crop which starts yielding from 3.0 to 3.5 year and will give sustained yields up to 30 years where farmers will get income twice in a month by harvesting FFB, informed District Nodal Officer of Oil Palm, Opang Moyong.

“The district has plenty of fallow land and since Oil Palm cultivation requires less manpower and maintenance even big areas can be managed with fewer labourers,” he added.

Moyong has informed that Agriculture Department is planning to cover an area of 750 Hectare in current 2017-18 season and accordingly Oil Palm seedlings are kept ready by Ruchi Soya at their nursery located at 5^thmile, Pasighat. As per MoU, 5000 Hectare area should be achieved in the span of 5-years in order to have crushing unit processor in the district.  He also informed that, to encourage farming community, subsidy to intercrop for 3-years & drip irrigation to irrigate during winter season will be considered to all the beneficiaries along with seedlings subsidy, transportation & maintenance subsidy for 4-years through Agriculture department.

As paddy transplanting period is over, this is the right period to do Oil Palm planting in the district, Moyong said while urging those interested to connect with the department.