APOA welcomes Sri Lanka's rethink on palm oil ban with sustainability caveat

The reported move by the Government of Sri Lanka to reconsider the ban on oil palm cultivation reflects a balanced and forward-looking approach, Chaturvedi said, adding that the real challenge lay not in prohibition but in ensuring sustainability through science, responsible governance and stakeholder collaboration.

The Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA) on Monday welcomed Sri Lanka's move to reconsider a ban on oil palm cultivation, saying responsible farming practices could help the country meet both food security and environmental goals. Sri Lanka is weighing lifting the prohibition subject to final approvals and sustainability safeguards. APOA Chairman Atul Chaturvedi said oil palm ranks among the most efficient vegetable oil crops globally in terms of yield per hectare and that economic and environmental objectives need not conflict. ''The reported move by the Government of Sri Lanka to reconsider the ban on oil palm cultivation reflects a balanced and forward-looking approach,'' Chaturvedi said, adding that the real challenge lay not in prohibition but in ensuring sustainability through science, responsible governance and stakeholder collaboration. In a statement, APOA Secretary General BV Mehta said many Asian countries were working to improve edible oil self-reliance while honouring sustainability commitments. ''Sri Lanka's policy reconsideration reflects the growing realisation that sustainable palm oil must be part of the solution for food security, farmer income enhancement and economic stability in the region,'' Mehta said. APOA and the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) said they remained committed to facilitating dialogue among governments, researchers and industry stakeholders to encourage responsible growth of the palm oil sector. Shatadru Chattopadhyay, Managing Director of Solidaridad Asia, said Sri Lanka now had an opportunity to show how responsible cultivation models and sustainability frameworks could coexist with environmental stewardship and economic development.