KARIMNAGAR: Emphasising the benefits of oil palm farming, agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao urged farmers to consider transitioning to oil palm cultivation, citing its potential for higher income while conserving both electricity and water.“Oil palm can thrive in challenging weather conditions and is resilient to both drought and extreme heat. The amount of water needed for one acre of paddy is sufficient to irrigate five acres of oil palm. Moreover, oil palm cultivation offers substantial earnings for farmers,” he said. Tummala, along with BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar, oil seed corporation chairman Janga Raghava Reddy, and horticulture director Yasmin Basha, launched a mega oil palm plantation at Baswapur village in Koheda mandal of the Husnabad constituency, Karimnagar district, on Thursday. In his address, Tummala said the construction of an oil palm processing factory at Narmetta village in Siddipet district is progressing rapidly. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is expected to inaugurate the facility before August 15. To support oil palm farming, the government is rolling out several initiatives, including covering transportation costs to the factory based on the distance from farms. He added that Husnabad is poised to become a hub for oil palm cultivation in Telangana. Farmers from across the state will be able to bring their oil palm produce to Husnabad. Additionally, the government plans to establish a refined oil factory in the region, which will create employment opportunities for local youth and farmers. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar noted that once the Narmetta oil palm factory becomes operational, the government will cover the transportation expenses for farmers. He encouraged farmers to opt for oil palm cultivation, stating that it yields better profits and is less affected by issues like monkey disturbances and erratic rainfall. He recommended that farmers with 10 acres of land dedicate at least five acres to oil palm. On the Gouravelli project, Ponnam recalled that the foundation stone was laid by the late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. While tunnel work has been completed, the previous BRS government failed to finish the project. “I am committed to ensuring water supply for farmers in the Husnabad area by completing the Gouravelli project,” he assured.
Source link
