Hyderabad: Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao said oil palm cultivation would usher in economic stability for farmers and strengthen Telangana’s agricultural growth.
He spoke at a mega plantation drive held in Palvancha Marri village of Palvancha mandal in Kamareddy district on Friday. The Horticulture Department organised the programme along with Hindustan Unilever Limited. The Minister planted oil palm saplings in the six-and-a-half acre farm of farmer Singireddy Balaram.
Addressing farmers, he said oil palm cultivation offers long-term returns compared to traditional crops that often result in losses. He added that India must bring nearly 70 lakh acres under oil palm to achieve self-sufficiency in edible oil production.
At present, Telangana has 2.88 lakh acres under oil palm cultivation. Since the present government assumed office, 32,923 farmers have taken up the crop in 1,05,455 acres.
Further, the State allocated Rs 456 crore this financial year to expand oil palm cultivation in 1.25 lakh acres. The Minister urged farmers to utilise the scheme and increase acreage, particularly in Kamareddy district where the target exceeds 20,000 acres.
Oil palm cultivation backed by subsidy and processing support
Thummala Nageswara Rao said the government provides oil palm saplings, fertilisers and drip irrigation systems at subsidised rates. Farmers receive Rs 51,000 per acre as subsidy support.
He noted that the crop begins yielding within four years and continues generating income for 30 to 40 years. In addition, farmers can grow intercrops to enhance returns during the initial years.
He said oil palm offers stable market prospects and can generate up to Rs 2 lakh per acre annually. Therefore, he urged farmers to adopt the crop on a large scale.
Under Oil Fed, two processing mills operate in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. A factory at Narmetta in Siddipet district has completed construction and will commence operations soon.
Agriculture Advisor and Banswada MLA Pocharam Srinivas Reddy called upon Kamareddy farmers to match the progress of Khammam and Kothagudem districts in oil palm cultivation.
Hindustan Unilever representative Varun Mehta said the company would extend full support for cultivation and marketing. He added that the company provides an additional Rs 5,000 incentive towards drip irrigation.
Senior officials, including Horticulture Director Yasmin Basha, SP Rajesh Chandra, Additional Collector Madan Mohan and other district officers attended the programme.