Siddipet Aims to Expand Oil Palm Cultivation to 50,000 Acres: Vivek
The Minister noted that oil palm is already being cultivated on 14,000 acres in the district and urged farmers to diversify towards more remunerative crops
Hyderabad: The Telangana government has set a target of expanding oil palm cultivation to 50,000 acres in Siddipet district to promote sustainable and high-income agriculture, said Dr G. Vivek Venkatswamy, Minister for Labour, Employment, Training and Factories.
He noted that oil palm is already being cultivated on 14,000 acres in the district and urged farmers to diversify towards more remunerative crops.
The Minister, along with Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, participated in the mega oil palm plantation programme held at Janagama village in Akkannapet mandal of Husnabad Assembly constituency on Friday, where they planted oil palm saplings.
Addressing the gathering, Venkatswamy said that expanding oil palm cultivation has become essential in view of the growing domestic demand for edible oils. He pointed out that international developments have contributed to rising edible oil prices and stressed the need to reduce dependence on imports by increasing domestic production.
The Minister assured farmers that although oil palm requires patience during the initial years, it offers substantial long-term returns. Farmers cultivating oil palm would receive government subsidies and benefits under the Rythu bharosa scheme during the first four years, he said.
He also observed that oil palm requires comparatively less water than paddy and that the presence of an oil palm processing factory near Husnabad provides an added advantage to farmers in the region.
Referring to paddy procurement, Vivek Venkatswamy said the State government had procured 25 per cent more paddy last year despite the Kaleshwaram project not being fully operational. He said warehouses were currently stocked with paddy, while restrictions on rice exports and the Food Corporation of India's limited procurement had made it necessary for farmers to adopt alternative high-value crops.
The Minister said farmers in Chennur were also showing interest in oil palm cultivation. He appealed to public representatives and Agriculture department officials to undertake extensive awareness campaigns in villages to educate farmers about the benefits of cultivating oil palm.
To encourage large-scale adoption of the crop, Ponnam Prabhakar announced an incentive of Rs.5 lakh for any village bringing more than 100 acres under oil palm cultivation. Responding immediately, Vivek Venkatswamy announced an additional Rs.5 lakh from his side as the district In-charge Minister, taking the total incentive to Rs.10 lakh for such villages.
