Godrej Agrovet Ltd (GAVL) has unveiled plans to establish an integrated palm oil complex in Telangana with a whopping investment of Rs 300 crore over the next 3-4 years. This ambitious project, situated in the Khammam district of Telangana, will span across 125 acres, featuring a crude palm oil mill and the possibility of setting up a refinery in the near future, according to a statement released by GAVL.
In addition to the palm oil facilities, the company will also set up a nursery capable of producing up to 7 lakh saplings annually, alongside a seed production and research unit. GAVL’s investment aligns with Telangana’s oil palm mission, aimed at expanding oil palm cultivation to cover 20 lakh acres across the state. This initiative is expected to enhance the income of over 5 lakh farm households while addressing the nation’s edible oil deficit.
Telangana Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Industries and Commerce, and Information Technology Minister K T Rama Rao expressed confidence in the project’s potential, stating, “Along with being the rice bowl for the country, Telangana is all set to become the largest edible oil producer in India.” He highlighted GAVL’s expertise in the oil palm sector as a valuable asset in achieving the state’s goals and ushering in a “yellow revolution.”
Moreover, GAVL’s commitment extends to providing comprehensive support for oil palm farmers through its Samadhan Centers, offering advisory services on best practices, modern technologies, and access to farm inputs like fertilizers, drip irrigation, pesticides, seeds, and harvesting tools all under one roof.
To boost the initiative, GAVL has formed a partnership with the State Bank of India to assist oil palm plantation farmers during the gestation period. Currently, there are 65,000 hectares of palm oil under cultivation in the country, and GAVL’s ambitious plan aims to expand this to 1.2 lakh hectares by 2027.
GAVL Managing Director Balram Singh Yadav expressed their dedication to supporting oil palm farmers, emphasizing the importance of quality seedlings and the forthcoming commissioning of a Crude Palm Oil mill. This endeavor marks a significant milestone as the country’s first integrated palm oil complex in Telangana, contributing to India’s self-reliance in edible oil production.