India marks a historic milestone in its quest for self-reliance in edible oils as 3F Oil Palm, one of the country’s leading oil palm development companies, inaugurated the nation’s first integrated Oil Palm Processing Unit. Situated in Roing, lower Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, the factory is a significant component of Mission Palm Oil, catalyzing India’s journey towards self-sufficiency in edible oils, under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP).
The integrated Oil Palm project features cutting-edge facilities including a Palm Oil Processing and Refinery, a zero-discharge effluent plant, a palm waste-based power plant, and additional structures to support operations. This factory marks not only the first Oil Palm factory in Arunachal Pradesh but also India’s first under the NMEO-OP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the 3F Oil Palm Processing Unit on March 9, 2024, emphasizing its transformative significance. The inauguration was part of the Viksit Bharat – Viksit Northeast event, during which the Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Mission Palm Oil, particularly in the Northeast, aiming to boost farmer income and enhance food security.
Sanjay Goenka, Managing Director & CEO of 3F Oil Palm Pvt Limited, highlighted the importance of palm oil in ensuring food security amid rising demand for edible oils. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for his vision and emphasized the company’s plans to invest Rs 1100 crore in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh by 2030, creating job opportunities for 1,700 people.
Arunachal Pradesh, with 1,30,000 hectares of identified land suitable for Oil Palm cultivation, holds immense potential for palm oil production. Despite this, only 4% of the potential in the Northeast has been utilized, leading to significant dependence on imported palm oil.
The NMEO-Oil Palm Policy, initiated by Prime Minister Modi, aims to promote domestic oil palm cultivation and reduce dependence on imports. 3F Oil Palm’s state-of-the-art Processing Unit, with a capacity of 10 metric tons per hour, is a key component of this initiative.
The company’s farmer-centric approach, bolstered by innovative initiatives such as “3F Akshaya Kendra” and advanced technology solutions like 3F Smart Palm and the Farmer Mobile App, ensures efficient plantation management and supports farmers in maximizing yields.
With plans to add 5000 hectares annually over the next five years in Lower Dibang District, Arunachal Pradesh, 3F Oil Palm is poised to drive significant growth in the region’s oil palm industry. The company’s presence across multiple states underscores its commitment to fostering economic development and achieving self-reliance in India’s edible oil sector.
