Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Agriculture Secretary Promotes Oil Palm and Dry Crops
Agriculture officials visited farmers near Janampalli village on Wednesday.
They asked farmers about their crops, water supply and fertilizers.
Some farmers said they were growing dry crops because there may not be enough water for paddy.
One farmer said oil palm was giving him good profits.
The Agriculture Secretary said more eligible farmers should consider growing oil palm.
He also asked officials to study which crops can be grown between oil palm trees.
These extra crops are called intercrops.
Officials were told to help farmers learn better farming methods and ensure fertilizer supplies.
The goal is to help farmers choose crops that fit the available water and provide better incomes.
Agriculture Secretary K. Surendra Mohan advised farmers to choose dry crops over paddy because of current water availability.
He said eligible farmers could earn good income through oil palm cultivation.
Officials inspected fields near Janampalli village and discussed water, crops and fertilizer supplies with farmers.
Farmer Venkataswamy reported good profits from oil palm cultivation and was praised as a role model.
Officials were directed to monitor fertilizer supplies and promote scientific intercropping practices in oil palm plantations.
- Who
- Agriculture Department Secretary K. Surendra Mohan, District Collector Adarsh Surabhi, agriculture officials and farmers, including Venkataswamy and Balaraju.
- What
- Officials inspected crop cultivation and advised farmers to consider dry crops, oil palm and suitable intercrops while improving fertilizer supply monitoring.
- When
- Wednesday.
- Where
- Farmers’ fields on the outskirts of Janampalli village in Pebberu mandal, Wanaparthy District.
- Why
- Because current water availability and the El Nino effect were influencing crop choices, while officials also sought to improve farmer incomes and address fertilizer-supply problems.
- Official visit
- K. Surendra Mohan and Adarsh Surabhi visited farmers’ fields near Janampalli village.
- Crop advice
- Farmers were advised to cultivate dry crops instead of paddy in view of current water availability.
- Oil palm income
- Farmer Venkataswamy said he was receiving good income from oil palm cultivation.
- Fertilizer issue
- Farmers raised problems involving the supply of urea and other fertilizers.
- Intercropping
- Officials were asked to study suitable intercrops for oil palm plantations and provide scientific guidance.
- Paddy cultivation
- Officials said the area under paddy in the village had decreased compared with the previous year.
- Farmer outreach
- Authorities were asked to share successful farming practices through the Rythu Nestham program and field visits.