A training session on oil palm cultivation took place at T.G. Oilfed Nursery in Beechupally. The Horticulture Department and T.G. Oilfed organized it for local officials from Itikyala, Erravalli, and Manopad mandals. Attendees included Assistant Programme Officers, Engineering Consultants, Technical Assistants, and Field Assistants.
Several key figures attended, including M.A. Akber, District Horticulture Officer of Jogulamba Gadwal, G. Shiva Nagireddy, District In-charge of T.G. Oilfed, and M. Rajashekhar, Divisional Horticulture Officer of Gadwal. They announced a goal of cultivating 3,500 acres of oil palm in Jogulamba Gadwal for 2025-26. This target involves collaboration among various departments.
Oil palm cultivation offers many benefits. It provides income for up to 30 years and withstands pests and bad weather. Farmers can also earn extra by growing other crops. Under the Oil Palm Act, 1993, companies must buy crops at a fixed monthly rate. The government supplies high-quality saplings at a subsidized ₹20 per plant.
Farmers receive generous subsidies for drip irrigation: 100% for SC/ST, 90% for small farmers, and 80% for others. They also get ₹2,100 per acre annually for maintenance and intercrops, totaling ₹4,200 yearly, or ₹16,800 over four years. This money is directly deposited into their bank accounts. The government ensures market support by mandating crop procurement.
Officials urged officers to encourage large-scale adoption of oil palm farming for sustainable income. The session was attended by Imrana, Mahesh, and T.G. Oilfed Cluster Officers Ramakrishna, Trivikram, and Rambabu. The event highlighted empowering farmers with cultivation techniques and financial benefits, positioning oil palm as a transformative crop for the region.
