India’s first integrated Oil Palm Processing Unit, established by 3F Oil Palm, has commenced its commercial operations, marking a significant milestone.
Located at Roing in the lower Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, the factory advances Mission Palm Oil, symbolizing a crucial stride in India’s pursuit of self-sufficiency in edible oils, catalyzed by the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP).
The integrated Oil Palm project includes a cutting-edge oil palm factory consisting of a Palm Oil Processing and Refinery, a zero-discharge effluent plant, a palm waste-based power plant, and additional structures and warehouses for support purposes. This factory marks the first Oil Palm facility in Arunachal Pradesh and India’s initial Oil Palm Factory under NMEO-OP.
On March 9th, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the 3F Oil Palm Processing Unit in Arunachal Pradesh, symbolizing the beginning of a transformative venture.
Addressing the Viksit Bharat – Viksit Northeast event in Arunachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the government’s commitment to Mission Palm Oil, particularly in the Northeast region. He underscored its significance in achieving self-reliance and enhancing farmers’ livelihoods. Expressing gratitude to the farmers in the Northeast for their dedicated involvement in palm cultivation under the Palm Mission initiative, he hailed it as a pathway to a prosperous future.
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Talking about the prospects of Palm Oil in India, Sanjay Goenka, Managing Director & CEO, 3F Oil Palm Pvt Limited., stated, “With the ever-increasing demand for edible oils, palm oil has become an important component to ensure food security of the nation. The commencement of operations of country’s first oil palm processing unit by 3F Oil Palm in Arunachal Pradesh is in line with the objective of encouraging domestic oilseeds production. Northeast holds immense potential for palm oil production, and we have already invested INR 100 crores in the region and have planned investments of INR 1100 crores in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh by 2030 creating jobs for 1,700 people. We express gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision and emphasis on Mission Palm Oil. 3F Oil Palm is proud to play a pivotal role in this transformative journey of India’s economic development. We thank the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh for its continued support and ensuring ease of doing business in the state.”
In Arunachal Pradesh, 130,000 hectares of land suitable for oil palm cultivation have been identified, with the Northeast region alone encompassing a significant 33% (9.6 lakh hectares) of the government-designated cultivable area. Presently, only 4% of this potential in the Northeast has been utilized for oil palm development. Despite this extensive potential, India faces a significant challenge in achieving self-sufficiency in edible oils, as it currently imports a staggering 96% of its required palm oil. This accounts for 67% of the country’s edible oil import bill, surpassing INR 1 lakh crores.
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To tackle this pressing concern, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the visionary initiative NMEO-Oil Palm Policy. This policy aims to diminish reliance on imported edible oils by incentivizing domestic oil palm cultivation, with a special emphasis on the Northeast region. It provides financial, technical, and infrastructural support to foster the growth of the industry.
The state-of-the-art Integrated Oil Palm Processing Unit of 3F Oil Palm is engineered to transform fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) into premium palm oil, boasting an impressive capacity of 10 metric tons per hour. Currently, 2,500 hectares of oil palm are under cultivation, engaging a farmer base of 500 individuals. 3F Oil Palm Pvt Ltd stands out as a trailblazer and leader in Arunachal Pradesh’s oil palm development initiative.
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In Arunachal Pradesh, the company stands as a pioneer, being the first to import high-quality hybrid variety seed sprouts from specialized and recognized international firms. Additionally, 3F Oil Palm is leading the way as the first oil palm company to provide agricultural inputs to farmers in the region. These initiatives are expected to significantly enhance farmer yields and streamline the planting process. Leveraging these pioneering efforts and the momentum generated by the Oil Palm Factory, the company aims to expand by 5,000 hectares annually over the next five years in Lower Dibang District, Arunachal Pradesh.
3F Oil Palm has solidified its footing in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. Presently, the company is focused on crafting a resilient growth strategy tailored for the Northeastern region, specifically targeting Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The inauguration and initiation of operations represent a pivotal milestone in advancing toward this objective.