Punjab To Distribute 90 Lakh Clonal Saplings To Farmers To Give A Boost To Agro Forestry

Chandigarh, April 24, 2015:  The Punjab Forest Department today finalized a major Agro-Forestry programme by deciding to distribute over 90 lakh clonal Eucalyptus plants to the farmers desirous of opting Agro-Forestry.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson said that this has been done to promote agro-forestry concept thereby reducing the dependence on and area under paddy and wheat.

The spokesperson further informed that in the 2013-14 period under this scheme a sum of Rs. 3 crore was spent and total of 34 lakh clonal popular and eucalyptus saplings were supplied which benefitted 1500 farmers and approximately 4400 hectare area previously under paddy and wheat was diversified for agro-forestry purposes.

The spokesperson said that it has been decided to expand this programme three fold by providing 90 lakh clonal saplings free of cost to the farmers and Forest Department would launch a multi media sensitization programme to educate the farmers regarding new initiatives.

The spokesperson also said that under agro forestry there is no restriction on transportation of wood in the state or its cutting. Also, wood derived from the saplings of eucalyptus and popular is mainly supplied to the plywood industry. Due to it being in great demand, the farmers face no problem in selling it.