Hyderabad, August 17: The government has outlined an ambitious target for oil palm cultivation in the upcoming year 2023-24, aiming to cover 2.30 lakh acres. This proposal has recently received approval from the central government, along with an allocated budget of Rs. 750 crore for the cultivation of oil palm.
Authorities have already taken significant steps to facilitate this initiative. Presently, 38 nurseries have been established in oil palm-growing districts, and various companies are actively cultivating the required plants.
The state has been making remarkable progress in oil palm cultivation and currently holds the second position in the country with 1.54 lakh acres under cultivation. With the additional allocations, it’s expected to soon secure the top spot.
OilFed, a state-owned enterprise, has been granted permission to cultivate oil palm on 76,900 acres across 8 districts. Furthermore, specific allocations have been made for various companies like Pre Unique Company, Lohia Company, Ruchi Soya, and Tirumala Oil Company to undertake oil palm cultivation.
In the upcoming year, districts like Karimnagar and Siddipet are aiming for higher cultivation targets, with 18,000 acres and 17,800 acres respectively dedicated to oil palm cultivation. Additionally, Kothagudem, Peddapalli, and Bhupalapalli districts have been allocated targets of 16,800 acres, 14,900 acres, and 12,800 acres respectively.
Furthermore, four new districts are entering the realm of oil palm cultivation this year. Rangareddy, Medak, Sangareddy, and Vikarabad districts have been allotted a total of 18,500 acres for this purpose, expanding the reach of oil palm cultivation to previously unexplored areas.
Last year, in the fiscal year 2022-23, oil palm was cultivated over 82,372 acres across 27 districts, involving 22,246 farmers. The concerted efforts have pushed the total oil palm cultivation in the state to 1.54 lakh acres. If the upcoming target is achieved, the state’s oil palm cultivation is poised for further growth.
