Illegal transport of oil palm saplings to AP alleged

PNS|Khammam

While the State government has drawn up an ambitious plan to promote oil palm cultivation in the State, the officials are not providing oil palm saplings to them. There are allegations of some persons illegally transporting the saplings to the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and selling them at a high price.

The farmers organisations have criticised the officials for failing to monitor the distribution of saplings to farmers in the district and prevent the smuggling og the saplings to the neighbouring Andrha Pradesh.

There are allegations that some people have been selling the saplings to farmers in Andhra Pradesh. The saplings, which were supposed to be distributed to the farmers in Khamma district, were reportedly seized at Pothunuru under Chintalapudi mandal in Eluru district. Sathupalli farmers alleged that they had identified between 500 and 600 saplings in Andhra Pradesh.

Though most of the farmers in the district enrolled their names with the Agriculture Department last year itself, the officials failed to supplying saplings to them. The farmers’ organisation demanded that the State government intervene and ensure that the saplings are supplied to farmers. The farmers alleged that each palm oil saplings is sold at the rate of Rs 500 each.

The officials of the Agriculture Department said that an inquiry would be ordered into the alleged smuggling of saplings. It may be recalled that the State government had drawn up an ambitious plan to promote oil palm cultivation in the State. The State government had also announced a hefty subsidy for farmers. Telangana stands first in terms of productivity.