How oil palm can help Suryapet farmers earn stable long-term income
HYDERABAD: Suryapet District Collector Tejas Nandanlal on Thursday urged farmers to shift from paddy cultivation to oil palm, saying the crop offers long-term income stability with lower investment.
The collector inspected an oil palm farm at Kasarabad village and interacted with farmer Mallesh. Addressing farmers, he said oil palm is a remunerative crop with a long productive cycle.
He said the crop starts yielding four years after planting and continues to produce for up to 30 years, ensuring a stable source of income. He added that the investment required for oil palm cultivation is lower than that for paddy.
The collector said the Centre and the state government provide a subsidy ranging from 70% to 90% for oil palm cultivation. To support farmers during the initial non-yield period, assistance of ₹4,200 per acre is provided for four years.
He said farmers could also raise intercrops during the first three years after planting oil palm saplings to generate additional income.
District Horticulture Officer Theegala Nagaiah, District Agriculture Officer Krishna Sandeep and Oilfed district coordinator Nimma Gopi Krishna were present during the inspection.
