Nizamabad: Oil Palm Processing Factory Proposed at Lakkampally SEZ
More than 17,000 acres in the two districts are already under oil palm cultivation, with another 5,000 acres expected to be added.
Nizamabad: State government adviser P. Sudarshan Reddy said setting up an oil palm processing factory in Nizamabad district would bring significant benefits to farmers and create new employment opportunities.
He along with Nizamabad rural MLA R. Bhupati Reddy, in-charge collector Bhavesh Mishra, and senior officials, inspected sites adjoining the Lakkampally SEZ in Nandipet mandal on Wednesday for the proposed factory.
Officials said the location was suitable as it could also accommodate a refinery in future and was within 50 km of neighbouring Nirmal district.
More than 17,000 acres in the two districts are already under oil palm cultivation, with another 5,000 acres expected to be added.
Sudarshan Reddy directed officials to submit a detailed report on the site.
He said agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao was ready to lay the foundation stone once the site was finalised.
He urged farmers to take up oil palm cultivation voluntarily, saying the government was providing extensive support to promote the crop.
He also said efforts would be made to establish rice bran oil and soybean industries at Lakkampally SEZ.
The government would study organic vegetable cultivation practices in Madhya Pradesh and promote similar methods in the district, he added.
Sudarshan Reddy suggested farmers to conserve water carefully due to inadequate rainfall and opt for alternative crops instead of paddy during the yasangi season.