Agriculture officers from Nagaland undertake study tour to Andhra Pradesh

DIMAPUR — A team of Agriculture officers from Nagaland led by its director, M Ben Yanthan; joint director (oil palm) Z Hukhato Sema; and subject matter specialist, Ronchamo Kikon, visited Andhra Pradesh on a study tour from April 12 to the 16th.

The objective of the study tour was to have a first-hand experience on the various aspects of oil palm cultivation following the two MOUs signed between the department of Agriculture and two Andhra Pradesh based companies namely Godrej Agrovet Pvt. Ltd. (GAVL) and Patanjali Foods Limited to promote oil palm cultivation and setting up processing facilities in the Nagaland.

An update from the Agriculture department stated that the team undertook an extensive tour to all the oil palm plantation areas including processing facilities, nurseries, collection centres besides having one-to-one interaction with oil palm farmers at various locations.

Advisor of North East Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL), Raju Prasad Choudhury, has explained the entire product life-cycle from sampling to plantation, processing and finished product. It stated that Choudhury has coined the term ‘Agri-Army’ for oil palm farmers who are “saving country from forex drainage.”

Sougata Niyogi, CEO of GAVL, welcomed the entire team and expressed gratitude to government of Nagaland for giving opportunities to serve Nagaland. GAVL has aggressive plan to help farmer under Zone I, he said.

Report stated that both the companies gave assurance for buy-back of fresh fruit bunches from the existing plantation areas.

“Therefore, marketing and profitability of the produce of oil palm is ensured as both the empanelled companies are the leading players of the country in edible oil,” report added.