Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister R. Shankar said a proposal woud be placed before the State government to provide grace marks to Class 10 students who nourished at least 10 saplings as a part of a plantation drive.
Inaugurating an agro-forestry workshop organised by Kalaburagi and Ballari forest circles and Gulbarga University on Tuesday, Mr. Shankar said a proposal would also be made to the Primary and Secondary Education Department to introduce grace marks for SSLC students, who had planted at least 10 saplings and nourished them for three years.
Citing examples of progressive farmers, he said by adopting innovative technology in farming and experimenting with cropping patterns, a farmer could earn in lakhs from just half an acre of land. He called upon farmers not to lose heart if they were unable to repay loans and urged adoption of alternative farming methods.
Progressive farmers Banudas Patil from Aurad taluk in Bidar and Ramesh Ballutagi from Koppal, shared their experience of sandalwood cultivation and pushed for cultivation of high-value crops. Mr. Ballutagi has cultivated sandalwood on 100 acres. He asked the farmers to cultivate crops that can change lives, saying by growing sandalwood trees one could earn in crores in 15 years. Mr. Ambalagi urged the government to provide interest-free loans and insurance cover for agro-forestry crops.
Forestry College in Chincholli
Chincholli MLA Umesh Jadhav recommended the establishment of the College of Forestry in Chincholli taluk.
Retired officials of the Forest Department delivered lectures on the importance of agro-forestry, methods of cultivating Melia Dubia tree, and the medicinal value of agro-forestry plants. They also explained the features of the agro-forestry schemes brought in by the State and the Centre.