Oil Palm development in Telangana constituted by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare, Govt. of India with IIOPR and Dept. of Horticulture, Telangana has recommended these factors after thorough field level investigations across the state.

a)            Soil: Oil Palm needs well-drained soil with slight acidic nature. Red loamy soils with excellent drainage facilities are well suited for Oil Palm cultivation. At the same time, saline soils having high pH and black cotton soils having more clay content are not suitable for its cultivation. The soil conditions in the proposed areas of Peddapalli District is medium texture, Sandy loam, and well-drained alluvial soils having a depth of 10-12 feet from ground level with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. These soils are suitable for Oil Palm.

b)            Water: Source of irrigation in the proposed area is Open well & Borewell. However, individual pockets are having the facility of Godavari Command area abundant Irrigation potentiality. Depth of water table is between 80 feet to 300 feet from ground level with slight fluctuations in some of the areas.. In individual pockets, fluorides are abundant. No, irrigation problems are foresighted in the areas. Since crops like paddy, chilli, maize,Cotton and groundnut have come up well in these areas with the utilization of underground water; it is felt that the proposal for oil palm development in these areas is technically feasible.

c)            Climate: The proposed area receives southwest monsoon during the months of June-October. The mean annual rainfall in Peddapalli district are ranging between 1500 mm to 2000 mm spread over a year. Since Oil Palm is a hydrophilic crop, it needs a copious amount of water every day. Availability of moderate rainfall with abundant groundwater at a depth of 150 to 300 feet is favorable for the development of Oil Palm in the proposed areas.

d)            Cyclones: Since Oil Palm is a shallow-rooted palm; it is more prone to cyclones. But the proposed area of Peddapalli District is around 300Kms away from the seashore, and there is absolutely no possibility of any Cyclone threat.

e)            Relative humidity: It's one of the vital factors that determine the growth of Oil Palm. The proposed areas are having a mean annual relative humidity of more than 60 - 90%, which is more conducive for Oil Palm growth.

f)             Solar radiation: Oil Palm Crop requires ample sunshine. The proposed area is blessed with an abundance of solar radiation, which is more suitable for Oil Palm.

g)            Temperature: Although Oil Palm is grown at Temperatures of 32-34*C in other countries. In India, especially in A.P it sustains the hot Temperature of 40 – 44.5 C. The proposed Peddapalli District is  having an average minimum Temp of 21C and a Maximum of 44.5 C Temperatures and Oil Palm can be grown at this Telangana

OIL Palm Plantation and Castor (Inter Crop)tentative Yield

FFB Yield output (MT/Acres) of Oil Palm at different age of plantation:

Year after planting (YAP)              FFB (MT/Acre)                  Intercrop*   InterCrop(Kg/Acre)

1 YAP                                                     ___Nil___                                Castor              25   quintal

2 YAP                                                     ___Nil___                              Castor                25   quintal

3 YAP                                                     ___Nil___                              Castor                25   quintal

4 YAP                                                     8 MT                                           Castor              25   quintal

5 YAP                                                    10 MT                          Castor              25   quintal

6 YAP                                                     12 MT                         Castor             25   quintal

7 YAP                                                     14 MT                         Cocoa              300 kgs

8 YAP                                                         15 MT                     Cocoa              300 kgs

9-15YAP                                                   15-20 MT               Cocoa              300 kgs

Since Oil Palm plants need to undergo ablation (removal of bunches) during first three years, the yield output is taken as 0 MT during the first three years. Similarly, the plant stabilizes its yield between 8th - 18th years with an average of 15 MT.  Castor inter crop under Drip Irrigation will give around 15-18 Qt/Acres. Yield likely to go up based on Better Plantation Management and conducive environmental conditions.