National Mission on Edible Oil- Oil Palm

 

It is, therefore necessary to exploit domestic resources to maximize production to ensure oil security for the country. Oil Palm is comparatively a new crop in India and is the highest vegetable oil yielding perennial crop. With quality planting materials and proper management there is potential of achieving 20-30 MT Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs) per hectare after attaining the age of 5 years. Therefore, there is urgent need to intensify efforts for area expansion under Oil Palm to enhance palm oil production in the country.

Now, National Security Mission (NFSM) envisages increases in production of vegetable oils. In Kerala state, Oil Palm India Limited (OPIL) is the Nodal agency for undertaking area expansion programme of Oil Palm cultivation amongst the small holders in the state. The central and state government are extending subsidy for the cultivation. The programme is successfully implementing in the state with the active participation of the farmers.

Area expansion inputs

Quality of planting materials used greatly determines the productivity and production. It is along with the use of good planting material coupled with proper managemental practices that potential yield level can be achieved. Assistance with be provided to the farmers @ 85% of the cost of planting material limited to `12000/- per ha for entire land holding per planting area of the farmer.

Maintenance cost of new plantation

Oil Palm starts producing Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs) after 4 years of its planting. Assistance will be given to the farmers under NMOOP @ 50% of the cost during gestation period for 4 years with a ceiling of `20000/- per ha. Up to 25 ha according to the land ceiling act of respective state governments.

Special features of Oil Palm

1. It is a perennial crop that starts yielding from the 4^th year of its planting.
2. Productivity per ha is more compare to other oil seeds. Under favourable conditions it can yield 4-6 MTs of oil per ha per annum.
3. Cost of cultivation is less compare to other oil seeds
4. Return from unit area is high compare to other plantation crops.
5. It can grow well in almost all types of soil and in varying climatic conditions.
6. Inter crops can be cultivated up to 5 years.
7. The palm leaf can be used as fodder, an ingredient for organic fertilizers, as fire wood etc.
8. Palm oil is rich in vitamin A and Vitamin E.
9. Theft is less compare to other cash crops.
10. Ability to withstand even in adverse climatic condition.

Oil Palm Cultivation Practices

Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis), African tree palm, family (Arecaceae) cultivated as a source of oil. Palm oil obtained from the mesocarp of fruit is used as edible oil and in making of soaps, cosmetics, candles, biofuels, lubricating greases and in processing tin plate and coating iron plates. Palm kernel oil, from the seeds, is used in manufacturing edible products such as margarine, ice creams, chocolate confections, cookies and bread as well as many pharmaceuticals. The cake residue after kernel oil  extracted is a cattle feed.

The Oil Palm bears a single stem and reaches 20 metres (66 feet) in height. The male and female inflorescences are formed in the same palm. On an average 8-12 bunches can be harvested from a single palm per year.

Soil and climate:

The Oil Palm grows best in areas with a mean maximum temperature of 30-32 ⁰C and on an average of at least five hours of sunlight. Oil palm is humid crop and requires a well distributed rainfall of 200 cm per annum. However, it can tolerate two to four months of dry spell. The adult palms can withstand occasional water logging, but frequent water logged, extremely sandy and hard lateritic soils should be avoided. Best suited soils are moist, well-drained, deep loamy alluvial soils, rich in organic matter with good water permeability. At least one meter depth of soil is required. Avoid highly alkaline, highly saline, waterlogged and sandy soils.

Cultivated variety: Tenera.

Planting:

Best season for planting is June-July ie., during monsoon. In case of planting during summer, adequate irrigation and mulching should be given. 12 to 14 months old healthy seedlings with 1-1.3 m height and 13 functional leaf are recommended for planting. Oil Palm is planted in the main field in triangular system at a spacing of 9 m accommodating 140 palms per ha. The polythene bag is torn open and the entire ball of earth is buried in the pit (50cmx50cmx50cm) and leveled. The planting is done as given in the figure.

Triangular Method of planting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fertilizer management : Oil Palm is a gross feeder and demands a balanced and adequate supply of macro, secondary and micro nutrients for growth and yield. It is adviced to apply fertilizers at two equal split doses (May & September). The following fertilizer schedule is considered satisfactory for Oil palm

N: P₂O₅ : K₂O   (Urea: SSP:MOP)

g/palm/year         g/palm/year  

 First year                                            400:200:400     (870: 1250:670)

Second year                                       800:400:800    (1740:2500:1340)

Third Year Onwards                          1200:600:1200 (2610:3750:2000)

Mg application is neccesary only if deficiency symptoms are notices. Supply of sufficient quantities of green leaf or compost is advantageous, especially where the soil is poor in organic matter.

Basin cleaning:

During first year, basins of 1m radius, second year 2 m radius and third year 3 m radius are to be taken around the palm by removingthe soils from inside so that the soil will not accumulate at the collar region. Basin area of Oil Palm represents its active root zone. Hence it must be kept clean and weed free to avoid competition for nutrients and water.

Inter-cropping:

Oil Palm is a wide spaced perennial crop with a long juvenile period of 3 years. Inter and intra row space can be used to generate income during the juvenile phase of the crop. Inter crop selected should be  compatible with the main crop and should not compete with the main crop for light, water and nutrients. Most suitable crops are vegetables, banana, flowers, chillies, turmeric, ginger, pineapple etc.  While growing intercrops in mature Oil Palm gardens of 8- 12 years age or palms attained a height of 3 meters, intercrops should be able to grow under partially shaded conditions and should not compete with Oil Palm for water, sunlight and nutrients ( Eg. Cocoa, pepper, heliconia and ginger lilly).Do not cut the OIl palm fronds or tie the fronds close to the stem for inter-cropping, which will reduce photosynthetic activity. Do not plough close to the plam base, which will cut the absorbing roots and thereby reduce intake of water and nutrients. Maximum number of green leaves should be retained on the palm.

Flowering:

Oil Palm comes to flowering 14-18 months after planting. It produces both male and female flowers separately on the same palm. Male & female phases do occur naturally in consequent cycles in a palm.

Ablation:

Ablation is the removal of male and female flowers produced in the early stages of plantation. This enables the palm to gain adequate stem girth, vigour and develop adequate root system. Start ablation immediately after the appearance of inflorescences on the palms. They can be easily removed by hand  or using tool. Ablation can be extended up to 2-1/2 to 3 years depending upon the plant growth and vigour.

Pollination:

Oil Palm is highly cross pollinated crop. Wind and insects assist pollination , but wind pollination is not adequate so assisted pollination is done to ensure fertilization of all female flowers. However, this is not necessary if the pollination weevil Elaedobius kamerunicus is introduced in the plantation. They congregate and multiply on male inflorescence during flower opening. The weevil also visit the female flowers and pollinate them effectively.

Mulching:

Mulching of Oil Palm basin is essential to conserve moiture as well as to control weeds. Mulching can be done with dried leaves, male flowers, coconut husk, empty bunches etc.

Harvesting:

First harvest can be taken 3.5 to 4 years after planting. When  a few ripe fruits are loose/ fall off, the bunch is ready for harvesting. Processing over- ripe fruits reduces quantity and quality of oil.Harvesting should be done 10-12 days interval. During rainy season, harvesting should be done at closer interval of 6-7 days as ripening is hastened after hot summer. In young plantations, we get more bunches with less bunch weight and in adult plantations the bunch weight is more but the bunch number is less. From young palms harvesting of bunches are done using a chisel. The stalk of the bunch is struck hard with the chisel to cut off and push the bunch out. When the palms become taller (from 10 year onwards) a harvesting sickle has to be used.

Yield: 4-8 years: 12 t/ha

After 8 years : 20 t/ha.