Odisha signs MoU for palm oil cultivation; employment boost for Cuttack, Angul, Dhenkanal, Jajpur

The Odisha government, on Friday, signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Patanjali Foods Limited, Tummala Agro Products, and Livpalm Resources to promote large-scale oil palm farming in the Angul, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, and Cuttack districts.

Notably, the move is part of the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), which targets 2,600 hectares of plantations. So far, 1,042 hectares have been cultivated over the past two years.

Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who oversees agriculture, stated the project will ensure better prices for farmers, create jobs, and reduce reliance on imported edible oils. 

“This strategic collaboration will boost self-reliance in edible oil production, enhance farmers' income, and promote sustainable agricultural growth in Odisha,” he wrote on his official X handle.

Companies Pledge Tech-Driven Farming

The companies will use modern techniques to maximize yields. Patanjali Foods will operate in Cuttack, Tummala Agro in Angul, and Livpalm in Dhenkanal and Jajpur. Further, representatives promised to support farmers with training and resources.

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Officials highlighted that oil palm, a high-yield crop, can generate 10 to 15 times more oil per hectare than traditional crops like mustard. This shift is expected to attract agro-industries, boosting exports and local processing units.

The project also aims to create thousands of rural jobs, from farming to processing. Farmers will gain access to stable markets, reducing price risks.

Odisha’s Wider Investment Push

The oil palm initiative aligns with Odisha’s broader industrial strategy. Earlier this week, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi signed 13 MoUs in Delhi, including a deal with the Indian Oil Corporation.

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The government also plans fast-track land allocation for industries with 30 acres in 30 days, 50 acres in 50 days, and 100 acres in 100 days. In total, the CM’s two-day visit brought in close to Rs 1 lakh crore of investment intents and thousands of employment opportunities.