Oil Palm Offers Farmers Stable Income: Bhatti
The Deputy Chief Minister said that Khammam is synonymous with agriculture and that farming is the primary livelihood for its people
NALGONDA: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Monday stated that oil palm cultivation was a transformative opportunity for the farming community to get sustainable income.
Along with agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, he inaugurated the `300-crore Godrej Integrated Palm Oil Industry at Anjanapuram of Konijerla mandal in Khammam district.
Addressing a public meeting to mark the event, Bhatti said that the undivided Khammam district once had several industries, but after the reorganisation of districts, had been largely remained dependent on agriculture.
He reminded that agriculture in the district depends on irrigation from Nagarjunasagar Left Canal, Palair and Wyra reservoirs. He stressed the need to encourage cultivation of crops that provide higher yields and greater income. He opined that an oil palm cultivation was suitable to achieve this goal.
Bhatti stated that oil palm provided farmers with assured income even under adverse climatic conditions such as El Nino and drought. To encourage oil palm cultivation, the state government is providing subsidies ranging from `4,000 to 45,000 per acre.
He pointed out that India requires nearly 25 lakh metric tonnes of palm oil annually, but currently produces only 12 lakh metric tonnes. Hence, India depends heavily on imports leading to a massive outflow of foreign exchange. If India could produce more palm oil domestically, it would strengthen the national economy as well as significant benefit to farmers.
Bhatti pointed out that while India has the potential to cultivate oil palm on nearly 70 lakh acres, only about 15 lakh acres are currently under cultivation. Expanding cultivation to its full potential would provide a significant boost to the country’s economy. The lands in Sathupalle in Khammam district were also suitable for cultivation of oil palms, he added.
Highlighting an increasing profitability of oil palm, he said that the price of fresh fruit bunches has risen from around `12,500 per tonne in 2023 to nearly `23,000 per tonne today reflecting the growing economic value of the crop.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Indiramma Praja Government to farmers’ welfare, he recalled that the government had deposited `9,000 crore into farmers’ bank accounts under the Rythu Bharosa scheme within just nine days that reflected its determination to make farmers prosperous.
Agriculture minister Nageswara Rao exuded confidence that the integrated palm oil industry at Anjanapuram would become a major boon for the farmers of Khammam district. The project goes beyond nursery development and includes research and development, seed genetics, seed gardens, nurseries, milling and refining facilities, all being established over nearly 113 acres.