By Firstdespatch Desk May 23, 2026
Agartala, May 23 (FD) A delegation of Godrej Agrovet Limited on Thursday met Ratan Lal Nath to discuss the expansion of oil palm cultivation and establishment of advanced research and processing infrastructure in the state.
The delegation, led by Sougata Niyogi, Chief Executive Officer of the company’s oil palm business, held a detailed meeting with the minister at his office chamber. Senior research and development officials and sector experts were also part of the visiting team.
During the discussion, the company briefed the minister on the ongoing progress of oil palm plantation initiatives in Unakoti, Dhalai and North Tripura districts. Officials said the meeting focused on expansion of plantations, establishment of a processing factory and development of a proposed Research and Development Centre at Nalkata.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister Ratan Lal Nath said the discussions were fruitful and reflected the growing importance of Tripura in the country’s oil palm sector.
“I am pleased to share that Godrej Agrovet Limited is planning to establish India’s second most modern R&D Centre in our state, which will open new avenues for scientific advancement, employment generation and sustainable agricultural development,” Nath said.
The company also sought land allocation from the state government for setting up a Centre of Excellence on Oil Palm in Tripura. According to officials, the proposed centre is expected to function as a major hub for research, innovation, farmer training and scientific learning related to oil palm cultivation.
The delegation informed the minister that experimental oil palm cultivation in tea estates had shown encouraging results without negatively affecting tea plantations or oil palm crops. Encouraged by the outcome, the company expressed interest in expanding oil palm cultivation in tea gardens across the state.
The meeting further discussed issues related to seed garden development, progeny testing, fertiliser allocation, expansion of plantations in government orchards and the establishment of an oil palm processing mill at Nalkata.
Minister Nath assured the delegation that the state government would extend all possible support for initiatives aimed at empowering farmers and accelerating growth in the agriculture and allied sectors. He also directed concerned officials to examine the proposals related to the expansion of oil palm cultivation and associated infrastructure projects in Tripura. FD JK