Hyderabad: Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has urged the Centre to set up the proposed national turmeric board in Nizamabad district, asking the central govt to honour the commitment made by PM Modi in Oct last year during the election campaign in the state.
In a letter to the central govt, Tummala said Nizamabad is a significant hub for turmeric production and for over a decade, farmers have been appealing to the central govt to establish the turmeric board there to guarantee support price for their produce.
According to the minister, farmers are eager to enhance turmeric cultivation and develop avenues for manufacture and export of value-added turmeric products. “They are urging urged the central govt to set up the turmeric board for their benefit,” he said.
The minister also sought establishment of a regional coconut development board in Bhadradri Kothagudem to promote coconut plantations. He said coconut plantations are grown over 3,300 acres across the state, predominantly in Bhadradri Kothagudem district (1,757 acres) and Khammam district (696 acres), which together account for 75% of the total plantations in the state.
He said the proposed coconut board will provide technical guidance on pest management for intercropping and mixed cropping practices as well as facilitate opportunities for value-added products and distribution of quality coconut seedlings.
He also urged the central govt to establish a regional oil palm research centre in Telangana in partnership with representatives from the Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research to offer scientific and technical support to farmers.
Currently, oil palm is cultivated in 91,200 hectares in the state, with plans to expand the cultivated area by an additional 40,000 hectares every year.
The minister said the Congress govt is striving to position Telangana as a leading state in oil palm production in India.
