GENOMICS-ASSISTED IMPROVEMENT OF OIL PALM: LINKING PRODUCTIVITY, PROFITABILITY, VALUE ADDITION AND IMPORT DEPENDENCE IN INDIA

Abstract

India's oil palm strategy sits at the intersection of crop improvement, farmer returns, processing efficiency and edible-oil security. This study combines a national time-series analysis of domestic palm oil production and imports (2000-2024) with a focused synthesis of oil palm genetics and genomics to examine how genetic gain could contribute to productivity, profitability, value addition and lower import dependence. Domestic palm oil production increased from 40 thousand tonnes in 2000 to 305 thousand tonnes in 2024, while imports rose from 3.038 million to 9.400 million tonnes. For 2015 2024, the mean net domestic supply contribution was 2.98%, ranging from 2.20% to 3.51%, and it was 3.12% in 2024. Production remained at 305 thousand tonnes during 2022-2024, indicating a recent plateau. The genomic synthesis identifies four complementary leverage points: conservation and strategic use of genetic diversity; genetically verified dura x pisifera planting material; marker-assisted and genomic selection for complex yield, architecture and stress response traits; and multi-trait improvement of oil quantity and quality. These approaches can raise fresh-fruit-bunch yield and oil recovery, reduce long-term losses from incorrect planting material, improve resilience and harvestability, and create scope for differentiated high-quality oils and more efficient processing. Their economic value, however, depends on conversion of genetic gain into field performance through locally validated breeding populations, suitable sites, reliable water and nutrition, certified nurseries, timely harvesting and nearby milling. Genomics therefore should not be treated as a substitute for agronomic readiness, but as a force multiplier within a coordinated Indian oil palm value chain. The study concludes that reducing import dependence requires simultaneous improvement in genetic quality, realized yield, farmer profitability, processing value addition and environmentally responsible expansion.