A major agroforestry program in the Indian State of Punjab is being boosted with 9 million clonal Eucalyptus seedlings to be distributed free to interested farmers.

The Daily Pioneer reports that the Punjab Forest Department is undertaking the program to reduce reliance on paddy and wheat.

In 2013-2014 the same scheme distributed 3.4 million clonal popular and eucalyptus saplings, benefitting more than 1,500 farmers and resulting in the conversion of around 4,400 hectares to agroforestry.

The timber grown by the farmers will primarily be sold to the plywood industry to help meet their high demand.

Read the full story: Punjab to distribute 90 lakh clonal saplings to farmers