New agro forestry scheme by the Punjab Government: Sumeet Jarangal
By APS Brar
Sri Muktsar Sahib, 22 September 2017:
A special scheme has been launched by the Punjab government to promote agro forestry in the state, which will provide subsidy to the farmers for planting trees on their farm land. Giving this information, the Deputy Commissioner Dr. Sumeet Jarangal IAS said that under this scheme the farmers can get subsidy by planting clonal hybrid eucalyptus, popular, tahli, deck trees etc.
He said that the farmer can get registered with the forest department to avail benefit under this scheme along with copy of their soil health card. Under this scheme, after maturity the whole income would be of farmer only while no forest act would be implemented on such land and the farmers will be entitled to have complete ownership right on their land.
Deputy Commissioner said that the government would provide financial assistance in the form of Rs. 35 per plant for four years for the tree cultivation along the sides of farm. Even for planting less than 100 saplings in the block of fields, financial assistance will be given same as above. While subsidy of Rs 14000 will be provided if someone grow 100-500 saplings per hectare (2.5 acre) in the field. Similarly, for planting 500-1000 plants per hectare per hectare in the fields, Rs 15000 per hectare would be given in four years and Rs. 17500 per hectare will be given in four years for the cultivation of 1000-1200 trees per hectare in the fields.
He said that the financial assistance would be given in the four years in the ratio of 40: 20: 20: 20 on the basis of living green plants at the end of the year. This subsidy will be deposited directly to the bank accounts of farmers linked with UID. For more information farmers can contact the Forest Department office.