Abstract
Little Andaman is a small island among the islands of the Andaman and Nicobar islands, a Union Territory of India with geographical area of 73440 ha. The climatic conditions of this island is best suited for red oil palm plantation having annual rain fall of 3500-4000 mm and temperature between 22°C-35°C having 5-7 hours sun shine. In 1979, a project of raising red oil palm plantation over 2400 ha, was sanctioned and the job was entrusted to the Andaman and Nicobar Forest and Plantation Development Corporation. A Tenera seeds were imported from different countries and plantation raised from 1973-86 over an area of 1593 ha. N, P, K, Mg fertilizers used in ratio of 7: 7: 14: 7. In 1981 red oil palm was harvested, but the fruits could not processed due to the absence of factory. In 1983 oil extraction press was installed and a regular processing started in 1984 on wards. A pollinating weevil (Elacidobius kamerunicus) was introduced for efficient pollination in September 1986. Rat, rhinoceros beetle, nettle caterpillar, etc gave the common damage to the palm. To control the rodents, owls were introduced in the plantation in 1991. Parakeets also damage the half ripen fruits. Apart from common diseases of red oil plantation, rot spoil the fruits and bunches. Fungus mycelium attacks the bunch and spoils it. Seeing the adverse impact of red palm oil plantation in the Little Andaman, the India Government has withdrawn the further extention of plantation in different islands of the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
