Farmers celebrate first oil palm harvest in Rangareddy

Rangareddy: Following years of uphill efforts, the Horticulture department has made inroads into the field of palm oil cultivation with the first ever harvest reported in the Rangareddy district.

It is learned that the plantation was taken up in a total 4,531 acres of area in the district as part of the government’s prestigious initiative aimed at encouraging oil palm farming in the state.

As the authorities set a target of 2,300 acres of oil palm cultivation in the year 2025–26, as many as 829 farmers with 2,671 acres of agreeable land turned up to register themselves.

Although a campaign with an attracting subsidy package to encourage farmers for oil palm cultivation was run in almost all the 21 agrarian mandals in the district, the authorities said, Keshampet mandal is one among them that picked up the idea first.

According to Horticulture and sericulture officer K Suresh, Keshampet mandal is top among them district a highest number of 100 farmers registered themselves for oil palm cultivation followed by Chevella (69 farmers), Madgul (60 farmers), Kondurg (57 farmers) and Farooqnagar (55 farmers) too come to support the idea. The entire district now has 829 farmers with 2,602.4 acres of land coming forward to register for oil palm cultivation this season.

Following completion of a crop cycle, the authorities planned a harvesting celebration at Alwal village in Keshampet mandal on Tuesday where a farmer Bhujanga Reddy had planted 371 oil palm saplings in his 6.5 acres three years ago.

Officials said that the Horticulture department is working to encourage oil palm cultivation in the district by providing necessary technical guidance and raising awareness among the farmers.

Addressing the gathering, scientist BN Rao advised the farmers willing to take up oil palm cultivation to gather comprehensive information about the crop and adhere to scientific methods for a good outcome. He also addressed the farmers’ queries regarding scientific farming practices, plant care, use of fertilizer and water management as well as pest control measures while raising the crop.

While speaking on the occasion, MLA ShadnagarVeerlapalli Shankar said, successful harvesting of oil palm crop in the district serves as a source of encouragement for farmers. Oil palm cultivation offers long-term opportunities with stable income to the farmer community.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Esa Bin Abdul Rehman

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ESA BIN ABDUL REHMAN is an experienced content creator/journalist specializing in stories covering public issues, people-oriented government initiatives, schemes, geological and political issues as well. With over two decades (25 years) of writing expertise in multiple media houses, he handles or contributes from areas such as Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts simultaneously. ESA BIN ABDUL REHMAN has completed his graduation from Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Open University (with a specialization in Literature and Translation). When not immersed in writing, he can be found spending time in raising garden vegetables, floral and herbal species to connect with nature. ESA BIN ABDUL REHMAN is an accomplished writer with a passion for writing stories covering all aspects of the society. With 25 years of experience, he has honed his craft in various genres, including entertainment or crime or education. ESA BIN ABDUL REHMAN diverse family history and embracing cultures have enriched his writing with unique perspectives.

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