Godrej Agrovet Limited took center stage at a conference in Indore themed “Palm Oil – Transforming Perceptions for Health and Nutrition”. Co-hosted by Solidaridad, Asian Palm Oil Alliance, and SEA, the event underscored the sustainable practices integral to India’s oil palm industry.The conference gathered nutritionists, scientists, medical professionals, and industry leaders like Adani-Wilmar and Godrej Agrovet Ltd to explore palm oil’s multifaceted benefits. Discussions highlighted its potential advantages for heart and brain health, antioxidant properties, and support for eye health amidst India’s increasing dependence on palm oil, which now constitutes over 38% of the nation’s total edible oil consumption.
Plans unveiled at the seminar aim to expand India’s oil palm cultivation by 0.6 million hectares by 2025-26, projected to elevate crude palm oil production to 1.12 million tonnes by 2025-26 and 2.8 million tonnes by 2029-30. This expansion aligns with India’s pursuit of self-sufficiency in edible oils under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm. Sougata Niyogi, CEO of Oil Palm Business at Godrej Agrovet Ltd, emphasized, “Oil palm offers a yield potential of 3-4 tonnes/ha/year, making it among the highest yielding crops. Its cultivation requires less water than sugarcane and paddy, providing farmers with sustained income opportunities over two decades.”
Atul Chaturvedi, Chairman of the Asian Palm Oil Alliance, emphasized the seminar’s role in dispelling misconceptions surrounding palm oil’s health and environmental impacts, crucial for empowering Indian farmers and boosting the economy.In Guwahati, the market for palm oil continues to expand alongside national trends, with increasing adoption driven by its nutritional benefits and versatile applications in both food and non-food industries.
