14 Feb Palm oil, its use and adverse environmental impact on the environment

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), is a native of West Africa and popularly known as African oil palm or red oil palm. It is grown extensively in South-East Asian countries, (Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea), African countries, (Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Republic of Congo and Zarie) and South American countries (Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia, British Guyana, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela and Brazil). Malaysia, Indonesia and Nigeria are the leading producers of oil palm.

It is known to be the highest edible oil yielding perennial crop. It produces two distinct oils, i.e., palm oil and palm kernel oil. Palm oil is derived from fleshy mesocarp of the fruit, which contains about 45-55% of oil. The palm kernel oil, obtained from the kernel of stony seed, is a potential source of lauric oil.

Palm oil has good consumer acceptance as cooking medium because of its price advantage. It is a good raw material for manufacturing oleo chemicals used in making soaps, candles, plasticizers etc. It has also a variety of uses, ranging from edible oil, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals to bio-fuel and bio-lubricant. Palm oil is one of nine major oils traded in the global edible oil and fat market. Five countries mainly Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand and Columbia account for over 90% of the world’s total production of FFBs

Palm oil in India

Oil palm was introduced to India at National Royal Botanical Gardens, Kolkata during the year 1886.

Large scale planting of oil palm was launched from 1971 to 1984 in Kerala by Plantation Corporation of Kerala Ltd. (subsequently taken over by Oil Pal India Ltd.) and Andaman Forest and Plantation Development Corporation Ltd., in Little Andaman Islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands during 1976 to 1985. Oil palm, as a small holders’ crop under irrigated conditions grown under varied agro-climatic conditions, is totally new to India. (STATUS PAPER ON OIL PALM, Govt of India)

Demand

Domestic consumption of edible oils in India has increased significantly over the years and has touched the level of more than 24.50 million ton in 2015-16 (Prov.). The production of domestic edible oils (8.77 million ton in 2015-16 Prov.) has not been able to keep pace with the growth in consumption and the gap between production and consumption is being met through imports which amounted to Rs. 68,000 crores (2015-16 Prov.). Palm oil contributes 70% of total vegetable oil import and is one of the cheapest oil due to high productivity per hectare (STATUS PAPER ON OIL PALM, Govt of India)

Uses of palm oil

From potato chips to margarine, spreads, Indian namkeen, ice-cream, chocolates, instant noodles, breads, almost everything that we eat contains palm oil or is prepared from palm oil.  (STATUS PAPER ON OIL PALM, Govt of India)

Over these last two decades, palm oil has remained at the central to India’s edible oil market. India stands today as the world’s largest vegetable oil buyer and is responsible for about 17% of global palm oil consumption

Adverse effects on environment

The destruction of ecosystems for palm oil production is a major cause of global biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions. Over the last 20 years, oil palm, has caused societal concern due to its marginal impacts on biodiverse and carbon-dense tropical rainforests, leading to calls to source vegetable oils from alternative oil-producing crops.

Palm oil, which currently accounts for approximately more than 40% of global vegetable oil production, has been repeatedly criticised for its high environmental impacts due to large-scale replacement of tropical forests, resulting in high carbon emissions and biodiversity loss

Some key effects are

1. Deforestation and habitat degradation – Palm oil plantations often replace diverse tropical forests, leading to the loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction for many species, including endangered ones like orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and rhinoceroses. Even when forests are not completely cleared, fragmentation due to oil palm plantations can isolate wildlife populations, making it difficult for species to migrate
2. Carbon emissions – Deforestation and peatland drainage for palm oil cultivation release large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming
3. Soil degradation and water pollution– Intensive palm oil cultivation can lead to soil erosion, degradation, and loss of fertility. This increases with the use of agrochemicals such as pesticides and fertilisers which further results in water pollution in turn affecting aquatic ecosystems.

Reducing the environmental impact caused by palm oil production can be done by adopting various approaches, from sustainable sourcing to consumer awareness and advocacy. Here are several strategies:

1. Choose Sustainable Palm Oil: Look for products certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). RSPO certification ensures that palm oil is produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
2. Support Companies Committed to Sustainability: Purchase products from companies that have committed to using sustainable palm oil in their products.
3. Read Labels: Check product labels for products that use alternative oils.
4. Advocate for Change: Support campaigns and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable palm oil production and raising awareness about its environmental impact.
5. Reduce Consumption: Reduce overall consumption of products containing palm oil by opting for alternatives or minimizing consumption of processed foods.
6. Encourage Regulation: Support policies and regulations that promote sustainable palm oil production and discourage deforestation and habitat destruction.
7. Educate Others: Spread awareness about the environmental impact of palm oil production and encourage others to make informed choices.

By implementing these strategies, individuals can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of palm oil production and support a more sustainable palm oil industry and gradually move towards a world where minimal palm oil is used in food products.