Hyderabad: Former Minister and BRS MLA T Harish Rao on Monday credited the BRS government’s policies under K Chandrashekar Rao for the success of the oil palm factory at Narmetta in Siddipet.
During a visit to the facility in Nanganur mandal, Rao told farmers that the Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR) had rejected cultivation approval in 2018 due to low humidity. The institute reversed its decision in 2021 after the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project improved water supply in the region.
He said the government had set up nurseries to provide saplings and held regular reviews to promote cultivation. Several BRS MLAs and officials planted oil palm to lead by example.
Rao criticised the Congress government for taking full credit for the project. He reminded people that BRS laid the foundation in 2022. He also described the factory as “an emotion” for local residents.
The factory will produce 20 tonnes of oil per 100 tonnes of crops. That’s higher than the 19-tonne average seen elsewhere, Rao noted. He said this improvement would increase farmer profits. Since the harvest cycle is under a month, farmers can earn income every 21 days.
Citing strong demand for edible oil in India, Rao encouraged farmers to grow oil palm as a stable income source.
MLAs Kotha Prabhakar Reddy and Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, MLC Dr V Yadava Reddy, and BRS leaders Vanteru Prathap Reddy and Errolla Srinivas were also present.
