Odisha Palms its Future: MK Agrotech & M11 Join Forces

Karnataka-based edible oil and food company MK Agrotech, in collaboration with M11 Industries, has recently unveiled an oil palm plantation initiative in Odisha. The companies formalized this endeavor through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Odisha government, falling under the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP).

The strategic implementation of the oil palm plantation program is focused on the Nuapada and Bolangir districts. Over the next decade, there are plans to establish a state-of-the-art palm oil mill with an initial fresh fruit bunch processing capacity of 10 tonnes per hour by 2029-30. Alongside this infrastructure development, the project encompasses comprehensive support, including training, technical assistance, capacity building, and the provision of quality planting materials to local farmers.

The program adopts a cluster approach, emphasizing the creation of model farming plots in collaboration with farmers from these districts. By actively engaging with the Odisha government in executing NMEO-OP, the initiative aims to optimize benefits for farmers and other stakeholders.

MK Agrotech is committed to the 'Make in India' vision and strives for self-sufficiency in edible oil production. Recognizing the less labor-intensive nature of oil palm cultivation, the initiative anticipates providing farmers with a guaranteed net annual income of Rs 1.5 lakh per hectare or more once the plantation reaches maturity.

To participate in the oil palm plantation, farmers are required to have a minimum of half a hectare of land and ensure a consistent water supply throughout the year for irrigating the crop. This criteria ensures the sustainability and success of the initiative in the region.

News by Rahul Yelligetti