A pilot project to make cultivable the forest lands on which rights were given to tribals in Adilabad district, under the Forest Rights Act, 1996, is set to begin.
Non government organisations will take up the pilot project soon in 210 acres of FRA lands at a cost of about ₹ 84 crore.
Collector D. Divya told representatives of NGOs in the district that 106 farm ponds needed to be dug in 10 villages of Gadiguda, Utnoor, Indervelli, Narnoor and Bazarhatnoor mandal under the pilot project. The farmers should be encouraged to plant fruits bearing trees and others which they traditionally planted. The lands should be developed for cultivation of cotton, jowar and maize, Ms. Divya said. She also told officials that only those varieties should be selected which were under the purview of minimum support price.
The Collector said fruit bearing plants can be planted under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. District Rural Development Officer Rathod Rajeshwar was also present.