Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) has a centuries-old history primarily in tropical regions, originating in West Africa where indigenous communities cultivated it for cooking, medicinal purposes, and ceremonial rituals. In the 19th century, European colonizers introduced oil palm to Southeast Asia—specifically Indonesia by the Dutch and Malaysia by the British—leading to large-scale commercial cultivation by the early 20th century. Advances in agricultural techniques and processing technologies significantly boosted oil palm yields and efficiency throughout the 20th century. Governments in Malaysia and Indonesia actively promoted oil palm cultivation to stimulate economic growth and alleviate rural poverty. By the 1970s, global demand for vegetable oils surged due to population growth, urbanization, and dietary changes, making Malaysia and Indonesia dominant producers and exporters of palm oil.

In India, oil palm cultivation began in the early 20th century in northeastern and later southern states. The National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board (NOVOD) promoted palm cultivation in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Significant expansion under irrigated conditions started in the 1990s, driven by state programs in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu aimed at enhancing productivity and reducing reliance on rain-fed agriculture. The introduction of high-yielding palm varieties suited to Indian climates, along with advances in irrigation technology and government support through subsidies and policies, encouraged widespread adoption of oil palm as a cash crop. These efforts included subsidizing planting materials and technical assistance to farmers. Additionally, the Technology Mission on Oilseeds and Pulses (TMOP) supported palm oil production to achieve self-sufficiency in edible oils.

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, India emerged as a notable producer catering primarily to domestic consumption, contributing to efforts for self-sufficiency in edible oils. The National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) aims to increase the area under oil palm cultivation and enhance productivity. Today, India continues to expand its oil palm cultivation, focusing on productivity, sustainability, and economic viability. The sector plays a crucial role in India's agricultural strategy, aiming to meet domestic demand and reduce reliance on imported vegetable oils.