Oil Palm Agroforestry in India: NMEO-OP, Intercropping Gains
Why in the news
Around International Day of Forests (21 March), India’s palm oil drive was presented as a working example of agroforestry that balances growth and ecology.
Key facts
- Goal: 10 lakh hectares of oil palm by 2025-26 under NMEO-OP.
- Aims: cut edible oil imports and the import bill, raise small farmers’ income, build self-reliance.
- Productivity: up to 4 tonnes oil per hectare versus 300-500 kg for other oilseeds.
- Andhra Pradesh farmers reported tripled incomes after switching.
Intercropping
Palms take about four years to bear fruit, so farmers grow crops like cocoa, red ginger, bush pepper and banana between them.
| Intercrop (South Konkan, Maharashtra, 3-year study) | Returns per hectare |
|---|---|
| Elephant foot yam | ₹61,950 |
| Banana | ₹55,833 |
| Pineapple | ₹27,500 |
Benefits and technology
- Better soil fertility, lower pest and disease pressure, a steadier ecosystem.
- Yield: 10.53 t/ha with intercrops versus 7.64 t/ha without.
- GPS-guided planting and harvesting tools suit small mixed plots.
- Drones handle pest outbreaks and check canopy cover for light balance.
Exam angle
- Mission: NMEO-OP; target 10 lakh hectares by 2025-26.
- Agroforestry: trees and shrubs combined with farmland.