Expert Committee submits El Nino report to Governor; recommends expanding pulses and oil palm cultivation

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla urged Telangana to expand pulse and oil palm cultivation, citing India’s heavy dependence on edible oil imports and stressing the need for self-reliance amid El Nino concerns.

Hyderabad: Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Saturday advised the State government to prioritise the cultivation of pulse crops and oil palm, saying India was facing a significant shortage of pulses and edible oils.

The Governor said expanding the cultivation of these crops was essential to address the growing shortage and reduce the country’s dependence on imports.

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He made the remarks after meeting Dr. Gillella Chinna Reddy, Chairman of the Expert Committee on the Impact of El Nino, and committee members at Lok Bhavan. During the meeting, the committee submitted its comprehensive report on the impact of El Nino to the Governor.

Appreciating Telangana’s efforts, Governor Shukla said oil palm cultivation in the State was progressing satisfactorily. He noted that India spends nearly Rs 1.61 lakh crore every year on importing edible oils to meet domestic demand. Increasing domestic production of oil palm, he said, would significantly reduce the import burden.

The Governor expressed confidence that expanding the cultivation of pulse crops and oil palm would benefit not only Telangana but also the country by addressing shortages of these essential commodities and promoting greater self-reliance.