print the page
|
Introduction
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis
Jacq.) is recognized as one of the highest edible oil-yielding crops. It
produces two distinct oils, i.e. palm oil and palm kernel oil, which are
used for culinary as well as for industrial purposes. The palm oil is
derived from the fleshy mesocarp of the fruit, which contains about 45-55%
of oil. The palm kernel oil is obtained from the stony seed that contains
about 50% of oil. Experts point out that oil palm is the crop for future
and a source for diversification, import substitution, value addition,
health and nutrition, waste utilization, co-generation (non-conventional
energy) and ecofriendly and sustainability. Although palm oil is not
produced in the country to a significant extent it is one of the largest
consumed oil in India. The demand for the product is growing and so are
the imports. In 1997--98 oil year, India emerged as world's largest
importer of palm oil with imports of about 1.45 million tonnes of palm
oil, out of total imports of 2.00 million tonnes of all vegetable oils.
|
|
 |
Area Of
Cultivation
About 80,000
hectares of land had been brought under oilplam at the end of 1998. Of
this, about 50,000 hectares is in Andhra Pradesh, 20,000 hectares in
Karnataka and 8,000 hectares is in Tamil Nadu. The rest is in Gujarat, Goa
and Orissa. At present, Guntur, Prakasam, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam,
Vijayanagaram and Khammam in Andhra Pradesh have the largest areas, about
25,000 hectares, under oil palm.
Season
Effect
of climatic conditions especially relative humidity, temperature and
rainfall, 25-28 months prior to harvest is very crucial for oil palm.
Fertilizer and Nutrient
Management
The order of requirement of nutrients by oil palm
was determined. Potassium is found to be the most important nutrient
element followed by P2O5, N, Mg and Ca in the order.
Recommended fertilizer schedule for oil palm
|
|
Five-Year
Plan |
Nutrient
(g/palm/year) |
| |
N
|
P2O5 |
K2O |
|
First
Five-Year Plan |
400
|
200
|
400
|
|
Second
Five-Year Plan |
800
|
400
|
800
|
|
Third
Five-Year Plan and onwards |
1,200
|
600
|
1,200
|
Inter-cropping
The agroforestry trial involving forest species and cacao in
oil palm plantations at Palode indicated that cacao can be successfully
cultivated as a mixed crop in oil palm plantations. Dense planting of
other forest species adversely affects the performance of oil palm. Crops
like pulses and oilseeds when raised in oil palm, irrigation requirements
of oil palm need to be taken care of.
|