As part of the complex, Godrej Agrovet has set up a seed garden in partnership with global companies, bringing their expertise in oil palm genetics to India
Godrej Agrovet, a farm-to-protein platform, has inaugurated India’s first Integrated oil palm complex in Khammam, Telangana. The complex brings together every stage of the oil palm value chain under one roof, including seed and genetics, nursery, research and development (R&D) center, mill and upcoming refinery in the complex, the company said.
The company’s cumulative investment will be Rs 300 crore once the entire complex is operational. As part of the complex, Godrej Agrovet has set up a seed garden in partnership with global companies, bringing their expertise in oil palm genetics to India. This partnership, along with the R&D center at the complex, will support the company’s ongoing efforts to develop hybrid planting material that is tolerant of and optimised for Telangana’s local climatic conditions.
“This complex is a landmark for Telangana’s oil palm mission and for our vision of making the state a leading edible oil producer. Telangana’s oil palm mission is transforming the lives of lakhs of farming households while strengthening the nation’s edible oil security, and Godrej Agrovet’s deep expertise in the oil palm sector has made them the right partner to help us realise that vision,” stated Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Finance & Planning, Energy, Government of Telangana.
In an exchange filing, the company added that the mill at the complex, first by a private company in the state, has commenced operations with a capacity of 30 tonne per hour and has been designed for expansion up to 60 tonne per hour. This will allow the company to scale processing capacity in sync with its target of increasing area under plantation in the state from current 10,000 hectare to 30,000 hectare by 2030.
The complex also houses a Samadhan centre, the company’s flagship initiative that serves as a one-stop resource for oil palm farmers, offering advisory support and access to farm inputs and other services.
“We have approached this complex the same way we approach every high-potential business at Godrej Agrovet, by investing early in the right capabilities, rather than scaling before the fundamentals are in place. With the entire oil palm value chain under one roof, we gain greater control over quality and consistency, and it reflects our confidence in Telangana’s potential to lead the nation’s edible oil security journey while uplifting farming families,” said Sunil Kataria, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Godrej Agrovet.
