Oil Palm Programme in Chhattisgarh
A. Brief Note on Oil Palm – an overview of the State
1. Introduction
Chhattisgarh State, also known as the ‘Herbal State’ lies between 17046’ to 2405’N
Latitude and 80015’ to 84020’ East Longitude. Total area of the state stretches across
135,000 sq.km (of which 59,000 sq.km is covered under Forests). The state shares its
borders with Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and
Madhya Pradesh. The state is divided into three agro-climatic zone viz. Northern Hills in
the Northern Chhatisgarh, Chhattisgarh Plains in Central Chhattisgarh, and Bastar
Plateau in the South of Chhattisgarh. The state is rich in Bio-diversity and is also known
as the ‘Rice Bowl of India’ owing to its massive paddy production.
2. Agro-Climatic Zones of Chhattisgarh
Agro-climatically, Chhattisgarh may be divided into 3 distinct agro climate zones with
immense potential of horticulture development.
i. Northern Hills :It covers districts of Sarguja, Korea and Jashpurnagar and Dharamjaigarh Tehsil of
Raigarh district.
ii. Chhattisgarh Plains :The plains cover districts of Raipur, Mahasamund, Dhamtari, Durg, Rajnandgaon,
Kabirdham, Bilaspur, Korba, Janjgir and part of Kanker district (Narharpur & Kanker
block) along with part of Raigarh district.
iii. Bastar Plateau :The Bastar plateau region comprises of Jagdalpur, Dantewada and remaining part of
Kanker district.
3. Climate
Climate of Chhattisgarh is mainly tropical, humid and sub-humid. The central part of
Chhattisgarh is hot because of its location at the Tropic of Cancer. May is the hottest
month and December-January are the coldest months. The general climate of
Chhattisgarh is dry sub-humid type where the annual potential evapo-transpiration is
slightly higher than the annual rainfall.
The climatic conditions of Chhattisgarh vary from region to region. The Eastern plateau
region is largely temperate but in some parts of the state, the climate is often hot. The
Eastern and Southern parts are humid. Like temperature, the rainfall varies from region
to region.
Directorate of Horticulture, Chhattisgarh
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Oil Palm Programme in Chhattisgarh
a.
Temperature
Winter conditions set in from mid-November when the average minimum temperature
starts falling below 150C.
i.
ii.
iii.
b.
Northern hills - temperature ranges from 8.2 top 39.50 C.
Chhattisgarh Plains- temperature ranges between 13.3-420 C.
Bastar Plateau - temperature ranges between 11.7 to 38.2 0 C.
Rainfall
The average annual rainfall of the region is around 1400 mm and about 90 to 95% of this
amount is received during South-West monsoon season (June-October). The monsoon
sets in around June 10 in the tip of Bastar area and covers the entire area by June 25.
Months of July and August are the wettest months and it is more or less stable during
these months. During September, the monsoon starts withdrawing from Northern parts
and by September 25, the monsoon withdraws from the state. Rainfall in October month
occurs due to cyclonic activity in the Bay of Bengal and October rainfall is most crucial
for the productivity of rice in the state.
c.
Relative Humidity
The atmospheric humidity is very high (>90%) during monsoon months and starts
decreasing from October onwards and reaches as low as 15-20 percent during peak
summer months. Again the humidity build up from end of May when the monsoon
currents enter Indian peninsula.
Summary table for temperature, rainfall, relative humidity and wind velocity in
Chhattisgarh
Agro_Climatic Representative Temperature
Rainfall
Relative
Wind
Zone
District
Humidity
Velocity
Max. Min.
Max.
Min. Max. Min.
Northern
Ambikapur
30.16 17.40 117.73 6.05 66.75 50.0
7.72
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh
Raipur
32.55 21.15 115.72 5.39 61.75 47.08 7.76
Plain
Bastar Plateau Jagdalpur
31.15 18.08 127.09 7.05 72.5
54.16 5.20
3. Soils
Each Agro-climatic zone is having a different type of soil. In general, Black Soils, red
soils, sandy loam, loamy sands are common types found in all the districts. Along the
river beds, typical loamy soils are seen with good drainage conditions. Soil depth is not a
constraint for raising horticultural crops like oil palm in such areas. Mostly, the soils are
acidic. About 20% soil of the cultivated area in the region is red-laterite (Bhata) soil,
which is mostly unutilized for growing any crop. These Bhata soils can be better utilized
to grow fruit crops under rain fed / dry land horticulture.
Directorate of Horticulture, Chhattisgarh
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Oil Palm Programme in Chhattisgarh
Agro-Climatic Zone
Northern Plains
Districts
Ambikapur, Korea,
Jashpur
Soil Types
Hilly soils,
Tikra,
Goda chawar,
Bahara
Chhattisgarh Plains
Bilaspur, Raipur, Mungeli,
Kota, Kudri, Dhamtari,
Durg, Mahasamund,
Pendra, Raigarh
Bhata (Lateritic)
Matasi (Sandy loam)
Dorsa (clay loam)
Kanhar (clay)
Bastar
Bijapur, Keshkal,
Bhanupratappur, Kanker,
Narayanpur, Geedham,
Jagdalpur, Kondagaon
Marhan (coarse sandy)
Tikra (sandy)
Mal (sandy loam)
Gabhar (clay & clay loam)
The first two categories of the soils in the three Agroclimatic zones are very light type of
soils with very low water retentive capacity. As a result water stress or drought
conditions occur either during the crop growing season when there is a break of
monsoon for more than 5-7 days or immediately after the withdrawal of monsoon. In
Bastar plateau and northern hill zone rice is grown in upland conditions without bunds
and they are called uplands.
The Northern Hilly areas covering the districts of Sarguja, Korea and Jashpurnagar and
Dharamjaigarh Tehsil of Raigarh districts consist of 30% light, 45% light medium, 15%
medium heavy and 10% heavy soils.
The Chhattisgarh Plains covering the districts of Raipur, Mahasamund, Dhamtari, Durg,
Rajnandgaon, kawardha, Bilaspur, Korba, Janggir and a part of Kanker, districts
(Narharpur and Kanker blocks) along with a part of Raigarh district consists of 20% light,
45% light medium, 10% medium heavy and 25% heavy soils.
The Bastar plateau comprising of Jagdalpur, Dantewada and the remaining part of
Kanker district consists of 31% light, 27% light medium, 22% medium heavy and 20%
heavy soils.
4. Irrigation
The level of irrigation in Chhattisgarh is fairly low. Irrigated area is just about one tenth of
the total cultivated area in Chhattisgarh. The state has many rivers. Mahanadi, Indrawati,
Sheonath, Rinand Hasdeo, Kelo, Mand, Eib, Pairi Sabari, and Arpa are some of the
perennial river veins meandering through the state.
These are important sources of irrigation as the water is present through out the year.
However, all these put together, irrigate only 18% of the cultivated land of the state. The
underground water potential has not been tapped in any of the regions. This could be
due to continuous cultivation of traditional crops like paddy and poor economic
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Oil Palm Programme in Chhattisgarh
conditions and lack of awareness on commercial cultivation among farmers. Water is
available at depths of 50-150 ft. along the river belts.
The main source of irrigation is canals, which provide for three fourths of all irrigation,
eight percent of the irrigation is done by tube wells, six percent by tanks and four to five
percent by wells. This also fluctuates between districts. Deficiencies and gaps on one
account or the other can be compensated through improved technology and package of
practices. As the rainfall in Chhattisgarh is distributed only during the months of June
and September / October, the other months during scanty or no rainfall can be
compensated through supplemental irrigation facilities,
5. Cropping Pattern
The main crop of the state is paddy. Apart from paddy, cereals like maize, kodo-kutki
and other small millets, pulses like tur and kulthi and oilseeds like groundnut, soybean,
niger and sunflower are also grown.
The region is also suitable for growing mango, banana, guava and other fruits and a
variety of vegetables. With 44 percent of its area under forest it has one of the richest
bio-diversity areas in the country. It has abundant minor forest produce like Tendu
leaves, Sal seed, etc. Medicinal Plants, Bamboo, Lac, Honey are other potential money
earners for the state. It is estimated that approximately the entire cropped area in the
state.
6. Existing Status of Oil Palm in Chhattisgarh
Demonstration on Palm Oil Plantation are established at Government Coconut Farm,
Pamalwaya, Tehsil – Bijapur, District – Dantewada and at Government Coconut Farm,
Keralapal Tehsil – Narayanpur, District – Bastar.
7. Potential for Cultivation
The suitability of soils for palm oil cultivation is on about 40,000 hectares area in the
plains and Bastar plateau utilizing the underground water source. This is particularly so
in the river belt zones of Raipur, Bilaspur, Raigarh in the plains and Jagdalpur and
Dantewada of Bastar Plateau regions.
8. Scope for Oil Palm Cultivation
Paddy is the major crop in the state which is cultivated mainly during the Kharif season.
The area under commercial crops is negligible. The income realized per unit area is not
competitive. As Oil Palm cultivation can generate net revenue to the tune of Rs. 50000
to 60000 per hectare, it is expected that the farmers would readily come forward to
cultivate the crop.
Directorate of Horticulture, Chhattisgarh
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Oil Palm Programme in Chhattisgarh
9. Proposed Plans for Oil Palm Plantation in Chhattisgarh
It is proposed to commence the area expansion during the financial year 2006-07 with a
modest target of 500 hectare and cover 20000 hectares spread over 9 districts (divided
into three factory zones). Within a time span of 10 years. The balance potential area of
20000 hectares would be covered in the next five years.
10. Objectives
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
To create assets and resources that can be utilized for import substitution as at
present large amount of edible palm oil (approximately 27 lakhs tones) is being
imported.
To utilize the vast pockets of Chhattisgarh which are congenial for propagation of
Oil Palm.
To ensure sustainable income for livelihood of rural people for over long period
as the life of this crop is more than 25 years.
To augment socio-economic conditions of the tribals and other weaker sections
of the society as well as improving the living standards of the people of
Chhattisgarh.
11. Proposed Area
It is proposed to develop the crop in the Chhattisgarh plains and Bastar plateau
excluding the unsuitable areas of the Northern Hills
a. Districts selected
Agro-Climatic Zone
Northern Plains
i.
Districts
Part of Raigarh (Dharamjaigarh tehsil)
Chhattisgarh Plains
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
Raipur,
Mahasamund,
Durg,
Bilaspur,
Korba,
Part of Kanker district (Narharpur and Kanker
Block) along with part of Raigarh district
Bastar
viii.
ix.
Jagdalpur,
Dantewada, and Remain part of Kanker district.
Directorate of Horticulture, Chhattisgarh
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Oil Palm Programme in Chhattisgarh
b. Rationale for Area selection
S.no.
Factors
Optimum requirement for
Oil Palm plantation
Average in Chhattisgarh
1.
Temperature 22-240C and 29-330C
13-380C in Bastar area
covering Jagdalpur and Kanker
2.
Rainfall
150mm / month or 25004000 mm/ annum.
1250-1750mm (even upto
2000 mm) in different zones
3.
Soil
Almost all types of soil viz.
alluvial, deep loamy, rich in
organic matter
Well drained soil, scattered in
districts like Bastar, Kanker,
Raigarh, Durg, Raipur, Korba
etc.
4.
pH
Soil drainage
Well drained in certain areas
12. Role of Horticulture Directorate
The Directorate of Horticulture will facilitate the Oil Palm cultivators and processors and
create an enabling environment for the development of Oil Palm in Chhattisgarh.
In addition to its regular activities, the Directorate of Horticulture will concentrate on the
following :
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
Providing plant material subsidy to developers and nurseries.
Provide cultivation subsidy to farmers and growers families.
Providing subsidy for micro-irrigation systems in Oil Palm and extending the
same benefits to weaker sections of the society to encourage them to get
involved in the programme.
Assisting, guiding and facilitating the Oil Palm grower to obtain loans
Nationalized banks and Coop. Banks.
Establish seed gardens and maintenance of nurseries for supply of quality
seed and planting material to the farmers at appropriate.
Guiding and facilitating oil extraction
Encouraging private sector investment in Oil Palm promotion.
Monitoring and Evaluation of the programme.
Acting as a nodal agency for Oil Palm Programme in Chhattisgarh.
Supporting Oil Palm Grower’s Associations in Marketing Arrangements.
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Oil Palm Programme in Chhattisgarh
a. Departmental Capacity / Support
District officers are placed in all the selected districts with their supporting staff at Block
levels for extension activities.
Good network of nurseries at Block levels to ensure demonstrations to farmers and
production of quality planting material.
13. Strategy for Implementation
From the experience of other states and assessment, it has been found that few
constraints would have to be considered in the Oil Palm Development Programme.
These are as follows:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Non Availability of suitable high yielding varieties.
Delay in taking up the nursery programme due to good quality sprouts.
Lack of crushing and processing units in the state.
Lack of Insurance mechanism.
Mortality Rates and loss of plants between the number of plants originally planted
and those surviving at the end of 4-5 years.
In order to address the above constraints, the Horticulture Directorate will take following
measures:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
Prior arrangement of suitable high yielding varieties from reliable sources such
as NRC, other Institutes and Research Stations.
Proper scheduling of activities as per Action Plan and also planning about
procurement of inputs from various sources well in advance.
Taking help and consultation with established sources and agencies such as the
ISOPOM, National Research Centre, FFF, Horticulture Directorates from other
states, etc in implementing the programme in Chhattisgarh.
Promotion of Oil Palm cultivation and processing under cluster approach.
Encouraging private sector investment in establishment of processing units.
Arranging for advanced marketing arrangements through facilitating MOUs
between growers and buyers.
Institutionalizing Insurance arrangement for the Oil Palm crop.
Extension of financial arrangements for farmers to motivate and support them.
Proper care and attention to the plantation to prevent mortality and immediate
Gap filling of Oil Palm plantations and augmentation of adequate irrigation
facilities to take the plantation to high yield levels. .
14. Extension Support and Farmer’s Motivation
Activities that would be taken up under Extension Activities would include:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Identification and selection of Target Groups.
Identification of Training needs among Trainers and Cultivators.
Training of Extension Personnel.
Imparting training to farmers on Oil Palm cultivation practices.
Massive and Broad based publicity campaign for awareness generation.
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Oil Palm Programme in Chhattisgarh
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.
xii.
Development of Irrigation Infrastructure.
Appropriate analysis of bio-mass, soil and water.
Determination of area specific requirements of inputs such as fertilizers, irrigation
etc.
Developing area-specific and suitable inter-cropping models.
Inclusion of Vermi-composting and organic farming in Plantations.
Credit support and financial arrangement through viable sources.
Regular consultation through established agencies and scientists.
15. Plantation Under Cluster Approach
Clusters will be formed after surveying the selected districts and identifying the villagers
and farmers in the cluster.
This will enable to generate continuous patches of land and identified groups of farmers
which can then be formed into Oil Palm Growers and Processors Association.
16. Plantation Schedule
Vide Annexure –1.
17. Harvesting and Collection
Farmers will harvest the FFB once in a fort night and deliver the produce to the collection
centers to be established by the entrepreneurs at various locations. Weighment will be
done in the presence of the farmers and proper receipt issued.
18. Processing
The potential areas would be grouped under three Factory Zones at three districts each.
A small mill of 1 MT FFB/ Hr capacity will be established in each zone in the third year.
With increase in crop, the crushing capacity will be enhanced in a phased manner
depending upon the need.
19. Marketing Arrangements
CPO will be marketed within the state. Value addition would be made by interested
entrepreneurs in due course.
20. Project Cost
At the rate of Rs. 50000 per hectare the investment required on the project for
developing 40000 hectare would be Rs. 200 Crores out of which the farmers contribution
will be Rs. 100 Crores. The balance Rs. 100 Crores will be contributed by the Central
and State Government in the ratio of 75:25%.
*****
Directorate of Horticulture, Chhattisgarh
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