Article Today, Hyderabad:
Oil palm farmers in Telangana are facing a huge crisis. The main issue is with the quality of the plants given to them. Many of these plants have genetic problems and are not giving the expected yield. This has led to huge financial losses for the farmers.
A Dream Shattered
In the Khammam district, around 90,000 acres of land are dedicated to oil palm cultivation. However, the farmers are not getting the returns they were promised. The Telangana Oil Palm Federation (TOPF) had provided good quality plants from 1993 to 2015. But from 2016 onwards, the plants supplied through nurseries have had significant genetic defects. These plants are not bearing fruits even after 6-7 years, causing huge losses to the farmers.
Officials Turn a Blind Eye
The oil palm farmers have been complaining to the authorities, but no one seems to be listening. They have met with the agriculture minister, secretary, and other officials, but nothing has been done to help them. The farmers are frustrated and feel that the officials are not taking their problems seriously.
A Glimmer of Hope
The chairman of the Telangana Oil Palm Federation has admitted that the plants do have genetic defects. However, he says that there is no provision in the law to provide compensation to the farmers. He has suggested that the farmers should cut down the defective plants and plant new ones. But this solution is not feasible for the farmers, as it would add to their financial burden.
Companies at Fault
The farmers are accusing some companies of not following the quarantine rules for importing oil palm seeds. These companies are supplying low-quality plants to the farmers, which is causing huge losses. The farmers are demanding that the companies should be held responsible for the losses and provide compensation.
Demand for Justice
The oil palm farmers are demanding that the government should include oil palm in the new seed law and provide compensation to the farmers who have suffered losses. They are also demanding that the companies that supplied the defective plants should be held accountable. The farmers are hoping that the government will take immediate action to resolve this issue and save their livelihoods.
A Plea to the Government
The oil palm farmers have met with the chairman of the Farmers Commission and requested him to intervene in the matter. They are hoping that the government will take their problems seriously and provide them with the justice they deserve. If immediate action is not taken, the situation may worsen, and the farmers may lose their livelihoods forever.
