Emotions have strongly dominated the debate on palm oil. Many anti-palm oil campaigns have encouraged binary thinking, leaving companies, consumers, and governments with only two options: use or ban palm oil. Radical criticisms often lack transparent scientific data, influencing policy-making and consumer opinions. Amidst this polarised discourse, India finds itself at a crucial juncture in determining the future of palm oil sustainability. We spoke with Shatadru Chattopadhayay, Managing Director of Solidaridad, to gain insights into how India is navigating this complex landscape.

Q: Why is Solidaridad promoting palm oil when India is also a leading grower of other oilseeds like soy, groundnut and mustard?

A: While India is indeed a leading grower of other oilseeds, palm oil remains unmatched in terms of yield and efficiency. Palm oil produces significantly more oil per hectare than any other common vegetable oil. A single oil palm seed provides two different kinds of oil. One that is used for cooking; the other palm kernel oil used in everything from cosmetics to biofuels.

India consumes around 23 million tons of vegetable oil, but only 40% is produced within the country. India's vegetable oil consumption is growing. The key is making sure it's planted in the right places and doesn't disturb precious ecosystems.

From the Indian farmer's perspective, planting palm oil with a hectare of land can give a better return on investment by three to four times than other crops. This can be a huge boon for rural economies, giving farmers a secure income and helping communities thrive.

Q: What is Solidaridad's position on the issue of deforestation and India contributing to imported deforestation through palm oil imports?

A: Major producers Malaysia and Indonesia have taken robust measures to mitigate deforestation risks through national sustainability frameworks such as the MSPO and the ISPO standards. These initiatives ensure that palm oil cultivation does not encroach upon primary forests and promote sustainable land use practices.

India is contributing to sustainability through the Indian Palm Oil Sustainability Standard (IPOS) developed by Indian palm oil stakeholders with the support of Solidaridad. IPOS aims to align with international best practices, ensuring that the palm oil imported into India adheres to stringent environmental and social criteria.

Q: Why did the Indian palm oil industry decide to develop its own sustainability standard, IPOS, when several global standards are already available?

A: The decision to develop the IPOS stems from the unique needs and conditions of the Indian market. IPOS is created, governed, and tailored specifically for the Indian palm oil industry. Global standards often fail to address the specific challenges and realities of Indian agriculture. India is a highly price-sensitive market, necessitating a balance between sustainable practices, production costs, and affordable food prices for consumers, especially low-income groups.

Q: What is Solidaridad's position on several efforts by food brands to either reduce the use of palm oil or campaign for palm oil-free products?

A: Solidaridad strongly believes that campaigns promoting palm oil-free products often miss the mark and are fundamentally different from consumer rights to choose palm oil-free products.