On July 14, 2025, a significant milestone in the promotion of oil palm cultivation was marked through a mega plantation drive conducted in Peddavegu village, Shabad Mandal, Rangareddy district. This initiative aimed to boost sustainable agriculture, enhance farmer income, and contribute to the growing demand for domestic edible oil production.
To amplify the impact and outreach of this initiative, an awareness meeting was organized alongside the plantation activity. The event served as a platform to educate farmers about the economic and environmental benefits of oil palm cultivation, government schemes, technical support, and market opportunities. The meeting drew the presence of several prominent dignitaries and stakeholders, highlighting the importance of the initiative.
Key attendees included the Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Government of Telangana, Sri Thummala Nageswara Rao, who addressed the gathering and emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and encouraging diversification through oil palm. Joining him were Sri Kale Yadaiah, MLA, Chevella; Sri Patnam Mahender Reddy, MLC; Sri Madhusudhan Reddy Garu, Grandhalaya Chairman; and Smt. S. Yasmeen Basha, IAS, Director of Horticulture, Telangana, who collectively underscored the strategic importance of oil palm in the state’s agricultural development plans.
Also present was Sri Ramakrishna Babu Paladugu, CEO & Director of Value Oil and Gas Services Pvt. Ltd., the implementing partner in the region. He shared insights into the company’s support for farmers through extension services, technical guidance, and processing infrastructure.
Officials from the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, including the Area Manager and Field Officers, actively participated in the proceedings. Their presence reinforced institutional support for ground-level implementation. Local farmers, the primary beneficiaries, attended in large numbers, engaging with experts and officials to better understand the prospects of oil palm farming.
The event marked a collective and coordinated effort by the government, private sector, and farming community to drive sustainable agricultural transformation in the region. The mega plantation drive and the awareness meeting together reflected a unified vision towards achieving self-reliance in edible oil production and improving rural livelihoods.