Hyderabad: Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will inaugurate a modern oil palm unit at Narmetta village in Nangunur mandal of Siddipet district on March 22.
Telangana Agriculture, Marketing, Cooperation, Handlooms and Textiles Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao said the project marks another major step in expanding oil palm cultivation in the State.
He said the government aims to strengthen oil palm farming and provide better processing facilities for farmers.
Currently, Telangana Oil Fed operates two oil palm processing mills in Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
These mills together process about 120 metric tonnes of fresh fruit bunches every hour.
Oil palm unit to strengthen processing and marketing support
Telangana Oil Fed constructed the new oil palm unit in Siddipet district with an estimated investment of ₹300 crore.
Initially, the plant will operate with a capacity of 30 tonnes per hour.
However, engineers designed the facility so they can expand the capacity to 120 tonnes per hour in the future.
The minister said the new oil palm unit will provide strong support for farmers cultivating oil palm in nearby regions.
Farmers will be able to transport their produce directly to the unit for processing.
Modern technology in the plant will improve oil extraction and product quality.
Moreover, improved processing facilities may help farmers secure better prices.
The minister also announced a three-day farmers’ mela from March 20 to March 22 to mark the inauguration.
Officials from agriculture and allied departments will organise the event.
Experts will demonstrate modern farming techniques, new machinery and oil palm cultivation practices.
They will also conduct awareness programmes on increasing productivity and accessing government schemes.
Various departments will set up stalls to provide direct guidance to farmers.
Meanwhile, Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao held a review meeting with officials from agriculture and allied departments.
He directed them to complete all arrangements for the inauguration programme.