Hyderabad: Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Monday warned oil palm companies that districts allotted to them would be withdrawn if their performance was found unsatisfactory, making it clear that even Oilfed would not be spared if farmers’ interests were compromised.During a surprise inspection of the Oilfed headquarters, the minister held a detailed review meeting with officials and directed them to achieve the annual target of bringing two lakh acres under oil palm cultivation across Telangana.Taking serious note of reports of irregularities at fresh fruit bunch collection centres, the minister ordered a comprehensive audit of all such centres and warned that strict action would be taken against those found responsible for violations.He instructed officials to immediately clear pending drip irrigation applications and ensure timely distribution of oil palm saplings to farmers. Officials informed him that 47 lakh plants were available in 45 oil palm nurseries across the State, of which 9.5 lakh were ready for distribution. Another 12 lakh plants are expected to be available over the next three months. So far this year, 17.5 lakh plants have been supplied to farmers.Tummala ordered daily monitoring of plant distribution to ensure supply meets farmers’ demand without delays. He also directed officials to ensure full-capacity operations at the oil palm processing mills in Ashwaraopet, Apparaopet and Narmetta, and to complete six other mills currently under construction by next year.
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