BERHAMPUR: Basic ground is being prepared for the establishment of a major oil palm industry in Ganjam district.

A farmers' training-cum-awareness programme on oil palm cultivation was organised jointly by the horticulture department and Godrej Agrovet Limited in the city on Thursday. Around 300 farmers interested in taking up oil palm cultivation which is being promoted by Godrej Agrovet in Ganjam and Gajapati districts attended the programme.

Godrej Agrovet has entered into an MoU with the State government in February this year to establish an oil plant based industry in Ganjam district by 2010-11. Establishment of this industry needs ample availability of raw material. And the process has begun to motivate farmers to opt for oil palm cultivation.

The aim is to take up oil palm cultivation in at least 5000 hectares in these two districts within next five years. But the beginning is obviously too small.

During last three months oil palm cultivation has been started in 130 acres of land in Ganjam and Gajapati districts.

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