Post Date: Post Date – 11:21pm, Tuesday – Nov 1st
Oil palm cultivation started in Devunigudem village in Jannaram mandal on Tuesday. With the centre uninterested in sourcing rice, many farmers in the Mancherial region are turning to alternative crops as advised by the state government.
Manher: It is a welcome sign that many farmers in the Mancherial district are switching to alternative crops following the state government’s advice after the centre showed no interest in sourcing rice. They are now taking the risk of planting oil palm trees, considering a range of advantages, including ample profit margins, government incentives and the absence of damage from monkeys and wild boars.
Traditionally, farmers in the area are known for growing rice, cotton and lentils. But now, they are exploring alternative crops such as oil palm. They planted 800 acres of trees this year and 221 acres in 2021. According to horticultural officials, the area is targeted at 2,442 acres and the state promotes these trees.
“Farmers belonging to Chennur, Kotapalli, Jaipur, Bheemaram, Jaipur, Hajipur and Luxettipet mandals are stepping up to grow oil crops. They are providing saplings and drip irrigation equipment at subsidized prices. In addition, they have received Rs 4,200 per annum for four years The maintenance incentives for the area. are working towards the target of the area,” K Sahaja, responsible district horticultural officer, told Telangana Today.
According to horticultural officials, growers are required to pay Rs 20 per sapling to mitigate oil palm risks. The government contributed Rs 193 per sapling as a measure to promote the crop. Likewise, it is expanding drip irrigation facilities, offering 100% subsidies to farmers in SC, ST communities, and a 90% discount to farmers in BC communities.
If the prescribed steps are followed, farmers can register a yield of 12 tons of seed per acre for a period of 35 years. They can earn huge income as oil palm seeds are sold at Rs 10,000 per quintal. They don’t have to worry about crop damage from monkeys, wild boars, birds and natural disasters.
Madishetti Kalavati, a progressive farmer from Dandepalli, said she has been planting trees on her 2 acres since 2021. She said she planted a cotton crop earlier but turned to oilseeds given the advantages. She added that authorities in the horticultural sector are providing insights and guiding her to grow cash crops.
Adilabad suitable for planting oil palms: Experts
A panel of experts from the Oil Palm Research Institute of India has surveyed the area to look for Manchurians in the Adilabad, Nirmall, Mancheria and Qom Rambim Asifabad districts that are suitable for tree planting in 2020. dal. The team assessed the potential planting area for oil palm in the former Adilabad district with a tree area of 73,000 hectares.
According to the survey results, 33,520 hectares in Nirmal and 15,000 hectares in Adilabad are suitable for planting oil palm trees, while 12,800 hectares in Mancherial and 12,221 hectares in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district are suitable for planting oil palm trees. By the way, Chen Nur MLA Balka Suman is promoting cultivation through regular campaigns.
