Telangana Targets 10 Lakh Acres Of Oil Palm Cultivation In Three Years

Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao said the State government aims to expand oil palm cultivation to 10 lakh acres in the next three years, alongside developing processing infrastructure to meet the expected increase in production.

The Minister, along with Siddipet District Collector Haimavathi, inspected the oil palm processing plant at Narmetta village in Nangunur mandal on Saturday. He reviewed Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) collection, transportation, processing, water availability, plant operations and services being provided to farmers.

The Narmetta facility has processed more than 70,000 metric tonnes of FFB since its commissioning and is currently operating at its full capacity of 30 tonnes per hour (TPH). Tummala said the growing area under oil palm would lead to a substantial increase in FFB production, making it necessary to expand processing capacity. He said the plant could eventually be expanded to 120 TPH.

Stressing the need for processing facilities closer to plantations, the Minister said farmers should not have to transport FFB over long distances. Quick transportation after harvesting would help preserve the quality of the produce and reduce transportation costs. He said processing plants, transportation networks and other infrastructure would be expanded in line with the growth in cultivation.

During an interaction with oil palm farmers, Tummala reviewed plantation management, yields, harvesting and FFB procurement. Nangunur farmer Madapa Yella Reddy reported a yield of 60 tonnes from five acres, while Oruganti Rajireddy of Maisampally harvested 32.5 tonnes from three acres. Pinreddy Rajireddy of Venkateshwarapally in Koheda mandal recorded 9.6 tonnes from 2.5 acres, and Bapureddy of Kuchinapally in Husnabad mandal harvested 17 tonnes from three acres. Together, the four farmers produced 119.1 tonnes from 13.5 acres.

The Minister said scientific practices, proper water management and timely harvesting could improve yields. With rainfall remaining low, he directed officials to ensure uninterrupted water supply to the plant and examine sourcing water from the Thapasapalli and Ranganayakasagar reservoirs.

Tummala said an efficient system from FFB collection and transportation to processing was essential to support farmers and ensure their produce is processed without delay.