Context:
The push for large-scale monoculture plantations of oil palm is taking a toll on the environment.
Oil palm:
- World’s most important oil crop, supplying approximately 40% of global demand for vegetable oil.
- Native species of – West Africa
- Produces 2 distinct oils – Palm oil and Palm kernel oil.
- Palm oil – Derived from fleshy mesocarp of the fruit, which contains about 45-55% of oil.
- Palm kernel oil – Derived from the kernel of stony seed, and is a potential source of lauric oil.
- Major Producers – Indonesia and Malaysia.
- Applications – Edible oil, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, Bio-fuel and bio-lubricant.
- Health benefits – Rich natural nutrients, including tocotrienols, which support cardiovascular health and offer antioxidant properties.
Oil palm in India:
- India is the world’s largest palm oil importer.
- Around 9 Million Tonne (MT) of palm oil is imported every year (56 % of the total imports of edible oil)
- Major importers – Indonesia, Malaysia, Argentina, Ukraine and Russia
- Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala accounts for 98% production.
- Govt initiative – National Mission on Edible Oil
Source: Down To Earth
Previous Year Question
With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements:
1. Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop.
2. Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.
3. In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is incorrect. According to the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), the share of pulse production in 2018- 19 was comprised of Tur (15.34%), Gram (43.29%), Moong (green gram,10.04%), Urad (black gram, 13.93%), Lentil (6.67%), and Other Pulses (10%).
Statement 3 is incorrect. In the last three decades, both, the production of kharif pulses and the production of rabi pulses have increased.
