Andhra Pradesh aims to bring 15,000 hectares under oil palm cultivation in Eluru district
The Andhra Pradesh government aims to cultivate oil palm on 15,000 hectares in Eluru district this year, promoting crop diversification and reducing edible oil imports. Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar announced the initiative during a visit to the Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research in Pedavegi. A monitoring committee will oversee implementation, aligning with India’s National Edible Oil Mission.
In a major move to promote crop diversification and increase domestic edible oil production, the Andhra Pradesh government has set an ambitious target of bringing 15,000 hectares under oil palm cultivation in Eluru district during the current agricultural year.
Civil Supplies Minister and Eluru district in-charge Nadendla Manohar made this announcement during his visit to the prestigious Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research at Pedavegi on Wednesday.
To ensure seamless implementation, a district-level monitoring committee would be formed under the chairmanship of the Joint Collector. The committee would comprise horticulture officials, representatives of five major oil palm companies, and scientists from the Pedavegi research centre. Monthly meetings would be held to track progress, address farmer grievances, and review training programmes.
“Eluru district has the potential to emerge as a model for oil palm cultivation not just in Andhra Pradesh, but across the country. With scientific support and farmer-centric policies, we aim to transform agriculture here,” Mr. Manohar said.
About 29 scientists were engaged in oil palm studies across 250 acres at research infrastructure at Pedavegi. The centre’s work on high-yielding varieties and tissue culture was praised as the cornerstone for scaling up the crop in Andhra Pradesh, he added.
Referring to the National Edible Oil Mission, Mr. Manohar said the State was aligning its efforts with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce India’s dependence on imported edible oil. “By 2027, Andhra Pradesh will hold a lion’s share in India’s oil palm production,” he said.
Denduluru MLA Chintamaneni Prabhakar, who was present, urged the government to encourage oil palm as an alternative to paddy in delta regions like Pedapadu, citing high demand and better returns.
Joint Collector P. Dhatri Reddy, Oil Palm Research Centre Director Kancharla Suresh, and District Horticulture Officer S. Rammohan were among those present.
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Source : The Hindu
