Question : Oil Palm Cultivation in North-East Region

(a) the rationale for selecting the North East Region for expansion of oil palm cultivation in the country;
(b) whether the Government intends of exempt oil palm plantations from the definition of “non-forest purpose” and thereby from Government clearance through amendments to the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, if so, the reasons thereof;
(c) whether Government is aware that as per the data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), oil palm is adapted to temperatures between 22 0 C to 33 0 C and requires about 2,500 to 4,000mm of relatively even rainfall throughout the year;
(d) if so, whether the North East Region is bio-climatically unsuitable for oil palm cultivation; and
(e) whether the Government has assessed that limitation of water will lead to lower or inhibited yield of oil palm in the North East Region and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARES

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(a) & (b): In the year 2020, the Reassessment Committee of ICAR-IIOPR conducted a study to assess the potential area of Oil Palm cultivation in the Country including North Eastern States. As per the report of Reassessment Committee, a total 22 States have been identified with 27.99 lakh ha as having a potential area for Oil Palm cultivation in India including 9.62 lakh ha in North Eastern States. Oil Palm in India is not being promoted on forest lands. There is no proposal at present to exempt Oil Palm plantation from the definition of “non-forest purpose’’ through amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

(c to e):Oil Palm is being promoted in the North Eastern Region under rainfed conditions. Under rainfed conditions, Oil Palm requires 1800 mm of rainfall at the rate of 150 mm per month. Even under irrigated conditions, rainfall is considered as an important parameter with 7% weightage since it contributes water supply in lieu of ground water at least during rainy period. As per ICAR-IIOPR, rainfall suitability classes have been categorized as >1000 mm (highly suitable), 601-1000 mm (moderately suitable) and