Oil bearing plants to replace Jhuming in Mizoram

Aizawl, Apr 12 (UNI) The Mizoram government has come out with new attractive schemes to replace the age-old shifting (Jhum) cultivation across the state.

The new scheme such as red oil palm and jatropha grown in commercial scale will change the system of cultivation from shifting to a permanent one, official sources today said.

Under the Centre's Bio Fuel Mission, as many as 20 states have been selected for large scale cultivation of jatropha among which Mizoram is the lone participant from the NE region.

Tying up with Godrej Agrovet, the Mizoram government under its Mizoram Intodelh (self-sufficiency) Project (MIP), has identified 1,00,000 hectares for cultivation of jatropha.

MIP chairman Lalnghinglova said 1,50,000 kgs of seedlings would be needed for the project. The seedlings which are expected to start arriving from Rajasthan from today will be provided to the farmers free of cost.

Around Rs 400 crore could be earned annually from the proposed 1,00,000 hectares from jatropha planatation during its life span of 30 years, the MIP official claimed.

In red oil palm, the Godrej Agrovet Ltd, who has made a buy back arrangement with the Mizoram government will pump in Rs 300-350 crore.

According to the MoU, the supply of seedlings, setting up of processing units in Mizoram and marketing of the products will be looked after by the company.

Red oil palm can be harvested after four years and and has a life span of up to 25-30 years. Over Rs 300 crore annual income is expected from the proposed 50,000 hectares.

Apart from red oil palm, the MIP has selected seven other cash crops for large scale cultivation. A buy back agreement has been signed with Kelkar&Co, Sun Fruits Ltd respectively for parchouli, stevia and papaya.

UNI SNR SP/SRC1546