Jalandhar: The Forest Deparment is engaged in the process of supplying top quality saplings of colonallpopular to the farmers of the state under agriculture diversification project. Stating this, the Forest and Wildlife Protection Minister , Punjab, Bhagat Chunni Lal said that fast growth, straight erection and multi-usable wood makes popular based agriculture a profitable venture in comparison to the usual forms of agriculture. He also said that the saplings of popular get perfectly in shape for cutting in just 5 or 6 years and during the winter season due to falling of leaves rabi crop can also be harvested.
The Minister said that this scheme will be made applicable in all the districts of the state and under this scheme the saplings of ‘popular’will be distributed on ‘first come first serve basis’. For this purpose the farmers can submit the details regarding their demand of tall popular saplings to the office of Forest Divisional Officer/ Forest Range Officer. He also informed that the saplings of popular are planted only during the months of January-February. He further said that the it is a golden opportunity for those farmers who are interested in popular based agro-forestry under agricultural diversification. The minister also said that the forest department will from time to time be imparting technical know-how regarding selecting clone of popular for popular based agro- forestry.
Giving more details, he said that under popular based agriculture during the first 3 years in rabi season the crops of wheat, potato and during kharif season bajra, turmeric etc. crops can be sown and also that these crops won’t be adversely affected. He said that under the scheme the farmers won’t be charged the price of saplings and they will pocket the entire income. According to the minister the wood generated after the implementation of this scheme is in great demand already. He also made it amply clear that the area on which trees have been planted under this scheme would be out of the purview of any forest law and the farmers will have entire claim on the trees and the land.
