With a view to dissuade the farmers from cultivation of traditional crops and to promote crop diversification in the State, Punjab Government has decided to distribute eucalyptus plants free-of-cost in the State.
State Forest and Wildlife Minister Chunni lal Bhagat said that this scheme would be implemented in all districts, and appealed the farmers to send requisition of eucalyptus plants to the concerned divisional forest officer or forest range officer.
Bhagat said that the farmers would be imparted technical training for planting of colonial eucalyptus plants. He said that as per the horticulture experts, the colonial eucalyptus plants could be cultivated in every kind of terrain and soil and the condition in Punjab is much agreeable for the plantation of colonial eucalyptus.
“The colonial eucalyptus gives yield three times more than the traditional eucalyptus plant prepared form seed,” he added. The Minister instructed the officials to sensitize the farmers to adopt Agro-Forestry as the trees grow at faster pace without any extra efforts and expenditure and provides substantial earnings for the farmers. He also advised that agro-forestry is beneficial for farmers as well as the environment.