Hyderabad: The Narmeta oil palm factory in Siddipet district has boosted farmer interest in oil palm cultivation and removed doubts about the crop’s viability in the region, state minister Ponnam Prabhakar said.
The minister spoke to reporters after inspecting the factory premises at Narmeta village in Nangunur mandal. The facility is scheduled to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister on March 22.
Prabhakar said the Narmeta oil palm factory had brought major benefits to farmers in the surrounding areas. According to him, the project helped dispel the belief among local farmers that oil palm could not be cultivated successfully in the region.
He credited minister Tummala Nageswara Rao for ensuring the project’s completion. Although the factory had been proposed earlier, the works moved forward only after ₹300 crore was allocated for the project.
As a result, farmers in the region have shown growing interest in taking up oil palm cultivation. The minister said the Narmeta oil palm factory would provide a stable processing facility and encourage expansion of the crop in nearby areas.
Narmeta oil palm factory seen as model for district-level units
Prabhakar urged farmers in the region to consider oil palm cultivation, especially in view of increasing climate uncertainties affecting agriculture.
He said oil palm offered farmers a viable alternative crop. Therefore, the government wanted more farmers to explore its cultivation.
The minister added that the government was considering establishing one oil palm processing unit in every district. The proposal was aimed at strengthening the processing network and supporting farmers who chose to grow the crop.
During the inspection visit, Prabhakar thanked minister Tummala Nageswara Rao for completing the Narmeta oil palm factory. He said the project had finally taken shape after years of proposals and planning.
Officials said the facility would help local farmers process their produce more efficiently once operations begin. The government expected the Narmeta oil palm factory to support cultivation expansion and improve agricultural income in the surrounding areas.