Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka inaugurated the Godrej palm industry at Anjanapuram village in Konijerla mandal of Khammam district on Monday. The integrated palm oil industry was established with an investment of nearly ₹300 crore. It includes research and development, seed genetics, seed gardens, nurseries, seed production, milling and refining facilities spread across nearly 113 acres. Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao and representatives of the Godrej management attended the inauguration.
Addressing a public meeting, Bhatti said Khammam remained an agriculture-based district. He said the region required crops that delivered higher productivity and better returns. Accordingly, he urged farmers to expand oil palm cultivation. He described the crop as a dependable source of income even during drought and adverse climatic conditions.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the government provides subsidies ranging from ₹4,000 to ₹45,000 per acre to encourage oil palm cultivation. He added that the crop offers reliable returns even during El Niño conditions.
Bhatti said India requires nearly 25 lakh metric tonnes of palm oil every year. However, the country currently produces only about 12 lakh metric tonnes. As a result, India depends heavily on imports. He said higher domestic production would reduce foreign exchange outflow. It would also improve farmers’ incomes.
Bhatti recalled that the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy promoted oil palm cultivation in 1991-92. Surveys conducted at the time identified Aswaraopeta and Sathupalli in the then undivided Khammam district as suitable for cultivation. According to the Deputy Chief Minister, that initiative has now developed into a full-fledged integrated industry.
Godrej palm industry to boost oil palm cultivation
The Deputy Chief Minister said India has the potential to cultivate oil palm on nearly 70 lakh acres. However, only about 15 lakh acres are currently under cultivation. Expanding cultivation would strengthen the country’s economy. It would also improve farmers’ incomes.
Bhatti said oil palm cultivation has expanded to nearly three lakh acres since its introduction in 1991-92. He also highlighted the crop’s growing profitability. According to him, the price of Fresh Fruit Bunches increased from around ₹12,500 per tonne in 2023 to nearly ₹23,000 per tonne.
Describing the Godrej palm industry as a major boost for farmers in Khammam district, Bhatti said it would strengthen the local agricultural economy. Responding to requests from local representatives, the Deputy Chief Minister assured that the government would provide road connectivity through the Industrial Infrastructure Corporation to support the project.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the integrated palm oil industry could attract ancillary units to the region. Bhatti expressed confidence that it would help develop Khammam into a hub for agro-based industries. Meanwhile, he said Konijerla had the potential to become a centre for producing high-quality oil palm seeds. The move would reduce dependence on imports from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Seed production and research facilities planned
Bhatti said the project includes research and development, seed genetics, seed gardens, nurseries, seed production, milling and refining facilities. The integrated palm oil industry has been developed across nearly 113 acres.
He urged farmers to diversify beyond traditional crops. Instead, they should adopt commercial cultivation linked to value-added agricultural processing. Such a shift, he said, would improve farm incomes and strengthen the agricultural economy.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to farmers, Bhatti said the Indiramma Praja Government credited ₹9,000 crore into farmers’ bank accounts under the Rythu Bharosa scheme within nine days. He said the Godrej palm industry would support the government’s efforts to improve farmer incomes through value addition and industrial processing.