Hyderabad: Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao warned oil palm companies against delays in implementing the state’s Oil palm expansion programme. He said the government would take strict action against companies failing to achieve targets. He directed Agriculture Secretary K. Surendra Mohan to initiate action against persistent underperformers.
Reviewing progress with representatives of oil palm companies at the Secretariat on Friday, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of expansion. The government had set a target of bringing 85,000 acres under oil palm cultivation this year. However, companies had covered only 17,090 acres so far. That accounted for nearly 20 per cent of the annual target.
Thummala said the government had extended full support to the companies. However, he said their performance remained below expectations. Moreover, he said farmers were showing strong interest in oil palm cultivation while companies continued to lag behind.
The Minister said the government had held several review meetings with the companies. Despite repeated directions, he said their performance had not improved. He described the slow progress as unacceptable.
The Minister said the government had already issued repeated notices to companies that failed to improve their performance. Lohia Company in Jagtial district and Oil Fed, operating in Gadwal, Narayanpet and Jangaon districts, had each received four notices.
Oil palm expansion targets under scrutiny
Similarly, Tirumala Company in Peddapalli district, Priyunik Company in Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Wanaparthy, Nirmal and Adilabad districts, and Ram Charan Company in Hanamkonda and Warangal districts had each received three notices. Meanwhile, Godrej Company in Sangareddy district had received two notices.
The Minister also said the government had issued five notices to Vishwatej Company. Kane Bio and Patanjali had each received six notices. Matrix Company had received five notices, while Suven Agro had received three. Even so, he said none of them had shown the expected improvement.
Thummala said the government had already withdrawn some districts from Patanjali, Lohia, Kane Bio and Matrix. If necessary, it would reduce the operational areas of more underperforming companies or remove them altogether. At the same time, better-performing companies could receive additional districts.
The Minister made it clear that Oil Fed would receive no exemption. Likewise, the government would reduce its operational area if its performance failed to improve.
Thummala also reviewed the availability of oil palm saplings. Accordingly, he directed companies expecting shortages in August to procure saplings from other companies. He said no farmer should wait for planting material because of supply constraints.
Further, the Minister instructed field staff to remain available to farmers. They should provide guidance on cultivation practices, fertiliser use, irrigation management and crop protection. He also asked them to resolve farmers’ concerns without delay.
Thummala directed companies to speed up construction of oil palm processing units. Once completed, the facilities would reduce transport costs for farmers and ensure timely processing of produce. He instructed the companies to complete the projects within the stipulated deadline.