Groundnut Stakeholders Convene to Enhance Production and Export Strategies in Telangana
Press Release
On January 31, 2024, the Regional Agricultural Research Station in Palem took center stage, drawing over 600 groundnut farmers, market yard leaders, shellers, and exporters from across Telangana, India. This gathering, held in collaboration with Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Krishi Vigyan Kendras (ICAR-KVK), and the Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC), aimed to foster better collaboration among stakeholders in the groundnut industry.
Mr Rutuparna Dole, Chairman of IOPEPC, elaborated on the current status of groundnut exports and emphasized the significance of post-rainy (Rabi) season cultivation in India to ensure a year-round supply for both domestic consumption and exports.
Specifically, the regions of Mahbubnagar, Nagarkurnool, and Wanaparthy districts in Telangana, engaged in Rabi season cultivation under irrigation, were identified as having immense potential for increased production of high-quality groundnuts. Notably, these districts exhibited minimal aflatoxin contamination, making their produce highly suitable for both domestic and export purposes.
Various matters were addressed during the one-day meeting, including trade regulations, good agricultural practices, nutritional benefits of high oleic acid (HOA) groundnuts, and innovative storage solutions such as Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags. Additionally, discussions centered around best management practices, seed-saving habits among farmers, and effective crop management techniques.
Additionally, stakeholders engaged in productive dialogues addressing gaps in the groundnut value chain, such as seed quality, market yard operations, export standards awareness, and post-harvest storage practices.
As part of the program, Shri Kishore Tanna, Special Advisor at IOPEPC, visited groundnut fields in Chandubatla and Bijenepally villages, Nagarkurnool District, Telangana, on 1 February 2024. This interaction provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by farmers, traders, shellers, and exporters, fostering discussions on collaborative efforts to bolster the groundnut value chain in Telangana state.
Among the distinguished delegates at the meeting were:
- ICRISAT: Dr P Janila, Principal Scientist – Groundnut Breeding & Cluster Leader – Crop Breeding; Dr Hari Kishan Sudini, Principal Scientist (Groundnut Pathology) & Head – Science Quality and Strategy; Dr Gajanan Sawargoankar, Senior Scientist (Agronomy), ICRISAT.
- PJTSAU: Dr P Raghu Rami Reddy, Director of Research; Dr V Sudha Rani, Director of Extension; Dr M Malla Reddy, Associate Director of Research, RARS, Palem; Dr S Vanisri, PS (Oilseeds), RARS, Palem; Dr B Pushpavati, Associate Dean, Ag. College, Palem; Programme Coordinators, KVK, Palem.
- IOPEPC: Shri Rutuparna Dole, Chairman; Shri Kishore Tanna, Special Advisor.
Header image: Groundnut stakeholders meet at RARS, Palem on 31 January 2024.
