VIJAYAWADA: Number of plants grown under the MGNREGA scheme by the State government in Krishna district grew from 13 lakh in 2016-17 to 80 lakh in 2017-18. The low output in 2016-17 was attributed to the delay in payment of wages to the workers. “There was not only a delay in wage payment, but also in the provision of funds for purchase of materials. Therefore, we could not grow many plants in 2016-17,” said Prabhakar Rao, District Forest Officer of Krishna district. However, about 80 lakh plants were grown in the year 2015-16 by the department, he added.
Types of plants that are grown by the State government under the scheme are teak, spathodea, tardiva and palmyra trees. “We grow plants that are beneficial to the farmers and will aid them in their trade,” said Srinivasula Reddy, a forest range officer in Nuzvid, adding that teak and palmyra trees fetch good revenue and were provided to farmers in large quantities.
Out of the total trees grown last year, 45 lakh were planted in the coastal areas. “Our focus is on the farmers living closer to the sea as they have necessary irrigation facility required to grow such plants,” said Prabhakar Rao. As part of the Vanam-Manam programme, more the 26 lakh plants would be given to the farmers along with help from other government departments, he added.