Agriculture Advisor Mhathung Yanthan launched the Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive under NMEO-OP 2026-27 at Baghty, Wokha, promoting crop diversification and sustainable farmer livelihoods.
Nagaland targets 15,000 hectares for oil palm cultivation, primarily in fertile foothills and cultivable wastelands under rain-fed conditions.
DIMAPUR — Advisor for Agriculture Mhathung Yanthan launched the “Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive” under the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) 2026-27 at the office of the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO), Baghty, on September 17.
Addressing farmers and community leaders, Yanthan said oil palm cultivation could provide an opportunity for farmers to develop sustainable livelihoods and establish a long-term, market-oriented agricultural enterprise, a DIPR report stated.
He said the mission, while aimed at increasing domestic edible oil production and reducing India’s dependence on imports, would also help improve farmers’ incomes.
Yanthan encouraged farmers already engaged in cash crops such as coffee and rubber to conduct research and consider oil palm as an additional crop and potential source of income.
He said diversification could provide an alternative revenue stream in the event of crop failure or environmental stress.
He assured farmers that once an oil palm processing mill is established in Nagaland by implementing agency Godrej Agrovet, harvested fruits would be procured and processed within the state. The advisor said this would help provide farmers with a stable market and more predictable returns.
Yanthan added that consultation with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was underway to earmark 30 acres of land for the purpose.
He encouraged farmers to avail themselves of free quality planting materials, maintenance assistance during the first three to four years of the crop’s gestation period, financial assistance for intercrops before oil palm begins fruiting, as well as tools and equipment available under the mission.
Yanthan also recalled his involvement in the initial years of rubber cultivation in Wokha district, particularly Baghty, when efforts were made to shift farmers from traditional jhum cultivation towards settled farming.
He said Wokha had since emerged as one of Nagaland’s leading rubber-producing districts, with thousands of households engaged in the sector.
He lauded rubber growers for their diligence and hard work, saying the transition had improved the lives of many families over the past three decades.
Yanthan also thanked the chief minister for supporting the creation of two additional SDAO offices in Wokha district.
One of the offices will be located at Sanis and the other at Ralan to provide guidance and support to farming communities and facilitate the functioning of the Agriculture department.
Deputy Director of Agriculture Ronchamo Kikon said Nagaland has set a long-term target of cultivating around 15,000 hectares of oil palm, primarily in fertile foothill areas and cultivable wastelands under rain-fed conditions.
He said the programme would seek to avoid disruption of primary forest areas.
Kikon also cautioned farmers against negative campaigns surrounding oil palm cultivation that, he said, were often based on inadequate scientific evidence or experimental knowledge.
Senior Officer of Godrej Agrovet (GAVL), Nagaland, Dr. Benjongtoshi Imchen, made a presentation on the “Scope and Marketing Potential of Oil Palm Cultivation.”
He highlighted the objectives of the drive, partnership support, scale of cultivation, production and growth potential, implementation, financial incentives and subsidies, reduction of palm oil imports and farmer empowerment.
The programme also featured remarks by GAVL Manager Muthuselvan and others.
Later, Yanthan planted an oil palm sapling at the SDAO office premises as a “Farmers-Centred Tribute” to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday.
The launching programme was chaired by SDAO Baghty Longshithung Odyuo.