In a move to encourage farmers in the Indian State of Punjab to diversify into agroforestry, the government is establishing a forest research institute.

An article in the Punjab Update reports that the institute will conduct research into agroforestry species that are suitable for the Punjab, fast growing and pest resistant in order to make the practice viable and profitable for farmers.

The institute is being established in Ladowal, District Ludhiana and is expected to help the government achieve its target of increasing forest cover to 15 per cent by the 2020.

Read the full story: Upcoming state forest research institute set to give a fillip to Agroforestry