The Telangana government is promoting oil palm cultivation to help farmers, according to Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, Errabelli Dayakar Rao. The minister laid the foundation stone for an oil palm processing unit in Gopalagiri under Thorrur mandal. The unit will cover 82 acres and cost approximately Rs 175 crore. It will have a crushing capacity of 60 tonnes per hour.
Telangana is currently the second-largest producer of oil palm in the country. The cultivated area has increased from 33,000 acres to 1.54 lakh acres. Farmers can earn between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.50 lakh per acre by cultivating oil palm, excluding expenses. The State-run Oil Fed will purchase the produce, so farmers do not need to worry. The government has also provided subsidies for oil palm cultivation. The oil palm processing unit will create job opportunities for around 300 people.
In addition to discussing oil palm cultivation, the minister criticized the Congress and the BJP for hindering progress in the state and country. He highlighted the BRS Government’s efforts in implementing welfare and developmental programs for agriculture, such as Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, and 24-hour free power supply.
The program was attended by Warangal MP Pasunuri Dayakar, Oil fed chairman Kancharla Ramakrishna Reddy, Mahabubabad MLA Banoth Shankar Naik, district collector K Shashanka, and many farmers.
