Oil palm farmers in Mizoram’s Kolasib and Mamit districts have received ₹2.2 crore in financial support under the Viability Gap Payment (VGP) scheme for the 2022-23 period, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit announced on Thursday. An additional ₹76 lakh was provided for 2023-24, with monthly assistance set to continue under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) scheme, launched by the Central government to promote oil palm cultivation.
The BJP has hailed the financial aid as a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to supporting farmers. However, the party accused Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma of refusing to issue a Demi-Official (DO) letter, which was required to facilitate the release of funds. With no action from the state government, oil palm farmers approached Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, who then sought intervention from Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan. This led to the eventual disbursal of the funds.
The BJP also criticized the state government for failing to address key agricultural issues, particularly challenges faced by ginger and broom farmers in selling their produce. The party alleged that the ruling administration had not fulfilled its pre-election promises and called for concrete measures to assist the farming community.
