Punjab Forest Department on Friday finalised a major agro-forestry programme by deciding to distribute over 90 lakh clonal Eucalyptus plants to the farmers desirous of opting agro-forestry.
“This has been done to promote agro-forestry concept thereby reducing the dependence on and area under paddy and wheat,” said an official spokesperson.
He said that in 2013-14 period, under this, scheme a sum of Rsthree crore was spent and total of 34 lakh clonal popular and eucalyptus saplings were supplied which benefitted 1,500 farmers and approximately 4,400 hectare area previously under paddy and wheat was diversified for agro-forestry purposes.
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 sensitisation programme to educate the farmers regarding new initiatives.
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.