CityLightBuzz: Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla met with the El Niño Expert Committee led by Dr. G. Chinna Reddy, Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission, at Lok Bhavan on Saturday. During the meeting, the committee submitted its comprehensive report on the impact of El Niño and recommendations for strengthening the agriculture sector.
The delegation included Agriculture Principal Secretary Surendra Mohan, Agriculture Director Gopi, and Horticulture Director Yasmeen Basha.
During the interaction, Governor Shukla emphasized the urgent need to increase the cultivation of pulses and oil palm to address the country’s growing dependence on imports. He noted that India continues to face a significant shortage of pulses, forcing the Central Government to spend nearly ₹34,054 crore annually on imports.
The Governor also highlighted the country’s heavy dependence on imported edible oils, stating that nearly ₹1.61 lakh crore is spent every year on importing cooking oil. He urged the Telangana Government to continue encouraging oil palm cultivation, adding that the state’s progress in oil palm farming has been satisfactory.
Governor Shukla said that expanding the cultivation of pulses and oil palm would not only benefit Telangana but also contribute significantly to reducing the national shortage of these essential commodities.
He also appreciated the Telangana Government’s initiatives to promote horticulture and vegetable cultivation, urging officials to continue their efforts in strengthening the sector.
Reviewing the El Niño Expert Committee’s report, the Governor praised its comprehensive recommendations and commended Dr. G. Chinna Reddy and the committee members for preparing a detailed roadmap to mitigate the impact of El Niño on agriculture.
The meeting also included discussions on agriculture, climate resilience, crop diversification, and strategies to ensure sustainable agricultural growth in Telangana.
