India’s inaugural integrated Oil Palm Processing Unit, spearheaded by 3F Oil Palm, has commenced commercial operations, marking a significant stride in the nation’s quest for self-sufficiency in edible oils. Situated in Roing, lower Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, this pioneering venture symbolizes a pivotal chapter in India’s edible oil landscape, propelled by the National Mission on Edible Oils—Oil Palm (NMEO-OP).
The state-of-the-art facility encompasses a comprehensive array of components, including a cutting-edge oil palm factory comprising palm oil processing and refinery units, a zero-discharge effluent plant, a palm waste-based power plant, and additional infrastructure and godowns. Notably, this project not only stands as Arunachal Pradesh’s premier oil palm factory but also represents India’s maiden oil palm factory under NMEO-OP.
PM Modi virtually inaugurated the 3F Oil Palm Processing Unit on March 9th, emphasizing its transformative role in India’s economic journey. Speaking at the Viksit Bharat-Viksit Northeast event, PM Modi underscored the government’s commitment to Mission Palm Oil, aimed at fostering self-reliance and elevating farmer livelihoods, particularly in the Northeast.
Sanjay Goenka, Managing Director and CEO of 3F Oil Palm Pvt. Ltd., emphasized the strategic significance of palm oil in ensuring food security amidst the escalating demand for edible oils. He expressed gratitude towards PM Modi for his visionary leadership and outlined the company’s substantial investments in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, poised to generate employment opportunities for 1,700 individuals.
The potential for oil palm cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh is vast, with approximately 1,30,000 hectares of suitable land identified, presenting an opportunity for substantial growth. Despite this, India faces a significant challenge in achieving self-sufficiency in edible oils, with imports accounting for 96% of its palm oil requirements, constituting a substantial portion of the country’s edible oil import bill.
In response to this challenge, PM Modi’s NMEO-Oil Palm Policy aims to bolster domestic cultivation, particularly in the Northeast, through comprehensive support mechanisms. 3F Oil Palm’s Integrated Oil Palm Processing Unit, with a capacity to process 10 metric tons of palm oil per hour, stands as a beacon of this initiative, poised to revolutionize the edible oil sector and foster agricultural prosperity in the region.
With initiatives such as the importation of high-quality hybrid seed sprouts and the provision of agricultural inputs to local farmers, 3F Oil Palm aims to catalyse robust growth in oil palm cultivation, targeting significant expansion over the coming years. As the company solidifies its presence across multiple states, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh, its foray into the Northeast signifies a strategic commitment towards regional development and economic empowerment.