Metro India News | Hyderabad 

A significant agricultural shift is unfolding in the outskirts of Vempadu, Nidamanur mandal, Nalgonda district, where a Mega Oil Palm Plantation Programme was inaugurated today, covering 11.5 acres of farmland. The initiative, led by Emireddy Lakshmamma Venu Dhara Reddy, aims to guide farmers away from low-profit paddy cultivation toward commercially viable oil palm farming.

District Horticulture and Sericulture Officer Pinnapureddy Anantha Reddy, along with horticulture officer G. Rishita and representatives from Patanjali Ayurved, oversaw the plantation activities. Farmers, assisted by government-backed subsidies, planted 57 seedlings per acre. The government is offering full subsidies for both saplings and drip irrigation systems, along with Rs 4,200 per acre per year for the first four years to support maintenance.

Speaking to farmers, officials highlighted the financial advantages of oil palm: once matured, the crop yields 10 to 12 tonnes per acre annually for up to 30 years, translating to an income of Rs 1.2 to Rs 1.5 lakh per acre—far exceeding the Rs 30,000 net annual return from paddy. The crop is also resistant to wildlife, theft, and erratic weather, offering a reliable monthly income.

Impressed by its potential, farmers from nearby villages have pledged to cultivate oil palm on an additional 15 acres. Officials urged landowners with access to water to consider shifting toward oil palm and horticulture for long-term sustainability. The event saw participation from district officers, company delegates, irrigation technology experts, and enthusiastic local farmers, signaling a hopeful transition in the district’s agricultural landscape.