Bhubaneswar, April 11– In a significant move towards enhancing self-reliance in edible oil production and driving rural economic growth, the Odisha government signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with three prominent oil palm companies on Thursday. This initiative is part of the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), a national programme aimed at boosting domestic edible oil production.
The MoUs were signed by the Directorate of Horticulture with Patanjali Foods Limited for Cuttack district, Tummala Agro Products Private Limited for Angul district, and Livpalm Resources Private Limited for Dhenkanal and Jajpur districts. These agreements focus on expanding large-scale oil palm cultivation across the state, meeting the growing demand for edible oils, and providing economic opportunities in rural areas.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who attended the signing ceremony, highlighted the state’s dedication to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving the livelihoods of farmers. He emphasized, “This initiative will not only expand oil palm cultivation in Odisha but also contribute to increasing edible oil production, generating rural employment, and supporting local farmers.”
This collaboration marks a key step in strengthening Odisha’s agricultural sector and positioning the state as a major contributor to India’s edible oil industry.