The pilot project on Agro-forestry, covering the five mandals of Nagari, Narayanavanam, Nindra, Pichatur and Puttur in Chittoor district, will see massive bund-plantation of red sanders and teak saplings, and block plantation of commercially viable Alla Neredu (Blackberry) and Chintha (Tamarind), from October 23.
Divisional Forest Officer (Social Forestry) G. Srinivasulu, who undertook a survey of the land and interacted with the farmers of the five mandals, told the media on Thursday that 120 farmers had furnished their details to avail themselves of the scheme in the first batch.
“The highlight of the project is that we are tuning farmers to adapt to scientific way of agro-forestry. Apart from providing them with saplings of high quality timber species free of cost, we will also extend free transportation up to the farmlands. Without disturbing the inter-crops, the fruit-bearing saplings would be distributed in the block plantation area,” he said.
“Sustainable income through agro-forestry is a well-proven concept in several States. The fruit-bearing trees would start giving high yields from fifth year onward, and the production would be vigorous for the next 25 years, and later the trees could be utilised for timber. The Forest Department would always stand by farmers during their tryst with agro-forestry,” he said.
Training
The official observed that all the farmers involved in agro-forestry would be imparted with quality and practical training in the concept. Workshops and seminars would be conducted for them periodically by using the services of agriculture and horticulture scientists on subjects such as use of fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides. “We will arrange excursions for the farmers in other States where the agro-forestry schemes are flourishing. The most successful farmers would be given advanced training at the Wood Science and Technology Institute in Bengaluru,” Mr Srinivasulu said.
The Social Forestry division has raised 3 lakh saplings of high quality timber species at its six nurseries at Guntha Gadanki, Santhapeta, S.V. Puram, Kalikiri, Pichatur, and Basinikonda in the district.
