Central Team Begins Three-Day Oil Palm Field Inspection in Ashwaraopet
Article Today, Hyderabad: A team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR) has launched a three-day visit to Ashwaraopet, begins Tuesday, to investigate alleged irregularities in Oil Palm sapling distribution. As per the instructions from Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the team will conduct an in-depth scientific study, including DNA testing of the saplings supplied to farmers.
Lab Tests to Verify Plant Authenticity…
The core objective of the inspection is to identify whether the saplings supplied to farmers match the ones imported by the companies. The team will collect samples directly from the fields and subject them to DNA tests. This step is aimed at determining if there was any malpractice in the supply chain, such as the substitution of locally grown, poor-quality saplings in place of certified hybrids.
Complaints of Defective ‘Culling’… Saplings Trigger Inspection
Several complaints have emerged from farmers in Ashwaraopet, Dummugudem, Sathupalli, Vemsoor, Mahabubabad, Narayanpet, and Gadwal. These allegations pertain to the supply of genetically defective culling saplings. Responding to this, the IIOPR team has arrived equipped with a mobile laboratory. They will collect on-site samples from fields where doubts arise and proceed with genetic testing.
Verification of Supply Chain and Nursery Standards…
Apart from DNA analysis, the team will examine whether the seedlings were raised according to nursery guidelines. They will verify the age of the saplings at the time of distribution and evaluate the quality of hybrids sourced from the supplier. Import records, nursery practices, and distribution protocols will be scrutinised to detect any discrepancies. The team is also expected to report on whether culling occurred at the nursery stage and, if so, to what extent.
37 Farmers Fields Under Review in First Phase
The Union Agriculture Ministry has provided a list of 37 farmers whose fields are now under direct scrutiny. Complaints from these farmers allege that substandard saplings were distributed to them. In addition, the Ministry has received similar complaints from 47 more farmers. These will be taken up in a subsequent phase of inspection. A senior officer from the Oilfed confirmed that the central team is receiving full cooperation from Telangana Oil Palm Growers’ Society in Ashwaraopet.
Political Heat Rises Over Past Irregularities
Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao and Oilfed Chairman Janga Raghava Reddy are reportedly upset over the irregularities that allegedly took place during the previous government’s tenure. Sources suggest that they are determined to expose those responsible if wrongdoing is confirmed. While the central team is focused on field verification, the current leadership in Telangana believes that these findings may lead to accountability for top officials of the past administration.
Anxiety with in Oilfed Administration
Interestingly, the ongoing probe has unsettled the current Oilfed staff. Many fear that blame for past malpractices could fall on officials still in service. With the possibility of deep structural reforms looming, the administration is reportedly on high alert. Minister Tummala is said to favour a complete overhaul of the organisation if the findings justify it.
This investigative visit, backed by science and central scrutiny, is likely to become a turning point in Telangana’s oil palm development agenda. The results could influence both administrative reform and farmer Confidence in the sector.
