The All India Coordinated Research Project on Palms (Oil Palm) Bavikere center along with ICAR- Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi, West Godawari jointly organized a “State level workshop on oil palm cultivation”, here today.
Oil Palm is a hassle free crop in terms of pests and diseases, labour requirements, marketing the produce, and provides regular monthly income from yielding stage.
Shri K. Nagendra Prasad, IAS, Director (Horticulture), Government of Karnataka chaired the Meeting.
Dr. Sobarad, Additional Director of Horticulture (Oil Palm) unlined the development and up gradation of State Horticulture department which, is the nodal department for oil palm, is actively involved in the planning and implementation of the new oil palm policy.
Factors that cause limitations in obtaining optimal yields include improper intercropping practices, insufficient and untimely distribution and application of fertilizers and inadequate irrigation, lack of technical knowledge, etc. have also been discussed.
The limitation of growing oil palms is long a gestation period of 4 – 5 years and another 2-3 years to reach production peak. It was suggested that farmers can switch to intercrops with vegetables in early years.
About 317 participants, including farmers, Horticultural Officials and Industrialists, attended the workshop. In recognition of high FFB production, seven farmers were honoured.
