Some farmers from coastal Karnataka have felt the need for exploring the possibilities of cultivating oil palm in the region for a better future.

Speaking at a meeting to discuss the possibilities of cultivating oil palm in coastal Karnataka at Melkar village in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district on Monday, Konkodi Padmanabha, former president of Campco, said that arecanut growers are now under the constant threat of a ban on the commodity due to various reasons. (Arecanut is the major cash crop of the region.)

Palm oil imports

In such a situation, it is better for farmers to be ready with an alternative crop. Highlighting the import figures of palm oil into the country, he said India imports around ₹70000-crore worth palm oil every year. Cultivation of oil palm in the region will help improve the economic prospects of farmers, he said.

GN Ratnakar, oil palm grower from Chikmagaluru district, said that he has been growing oil palm on a five-acre land for the last 10 years. Sharing his experience, he said he harvests around 30-40 tonnes of fresh fruit bunches of oil palm a year from each hectare of land. He is assured of monthly income as he harvests oil palm once in 15 days.

Ratnakar, who also grows arecanut, said that arecanut is under constant threat of ban and diseases. Alternative crops such as oil palm can help farmers in the event of ban on the commodity in the coming years, he said.

T Shivananda, Assistant Director of Horticulture, said that oil palm is being cultivated on around 10,000 hectares of land in the state. The state produces around 16,000 tonnes of oil palm a year.

HR Naik, Deputy Director of Horticulture, Dakshina Kannada, said steps would be taken to create awareness on oil palm cultivation. Officials will be sensitised on the need to promote oil palm cultivation through various modes.

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