EN DESK Manipur

Manipur : Launch of Oil Palm Project

An Oil Palm Project under the agriculture department of Manipur was launched by Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh via video conferencing at the Cabinet Hall of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal on Thursday.

The conference was also joined by State chief secretary, Dr Rajesh Kumar; principal secretary to health, V Vumlunmang; agriculture commissioner Mongjam Joy and other officials.

The project was undertaken under the national mission on oilseed and palm oil, that projects to make India assistant free in edible oils and its export to other countries.

The project started near areas in Chandel, Churanchandpur, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Ukhrul and Thoubal districts, Singh said.

66,652 hectares of land were recorded suitable through satellite mapping, identified by the climate assessing departments. 200 hectares of land will be used for the oil palm cultivation, said N. Biren Singh.

The seeds were procured from Mizoram and Andhra Pradesh under funds from the Central Government, the CM said.

The Principal Secretary of Health will be the chairman of a Sub-Committee on Oil Palm.

The sub-committee included personnel from Central Agricultural University, ICAR Manipur Centre, director, MARSAC, agriculture and horticulture department.