NE ENVIRONMENT BUREAU
CHENNAI, JULY 22
Enthused by the overwhelming response of the farmers and environmentalists, Cauvery Calling on Friday announced that it has set an ambitious target of planting 1 crore trees in Tamil Nadu, this financial year.
Speaking to the media in Chennai, Tamilmaran, Field Coordinator, Cauvery Calling, said, “20 lakh saplings have been planted since April 2022, and the project is scaling up to ensure that the target of 1 crore saplings is achieved.”
“Started in 2019 by Sadhguru, Cauvery Calling has been well received by the farmers of Tamil Nadu,” said Tamilmaran.
“Through awareness drives and work of volunteers at grassroot level, there has been an increase in interest to grow trees on farmlands. This has resulted in an increased demand for saplings every year. In more than 30 districts, Isha Nurseries are distributing good quality timber tree saplings at just Rs 3. In the current fiscal year (2022-2023), the initiative plans to distribute 1 crore saplings and the necessary preparations are underway. In addition to the existing 30 nurseries, 12 more are getting ready.”
- 12 new Isha Nurseries coming up to meet this ambitious target
- A Mega-Workshop has been scheduled on Sunday, 24th July 2022 at Shri Deivasikamani’s farm in Thirukazhukundram, Chengalpattu District.
- Dial 9442590079, 9442590081 to register for participating in this workshop.
- Volunteer activities include testing the soil and water, and suggesting trees that are best suited for that land.
- In more than 30 districts of TN, Isha Nurseries are distributing good quality timber tree saplings at just Rs 3
- Tree-based agriculture allows the soil to remain fertile and also helps the farmer get maximum yield with lesser water input
- Growing timber trees such as Teak, Red Sanders, Sandalwood, Malabar Kino, Malabar Neemwood, Haldinia Gordifolia increases the farmer income substantially in a few years.
Tree-based agriculture allows the soil to remain fertile and also helps the farmer get maximum yield with lesser water input. Trees also help reduce the damage to crops during natural calamities such as heavy rains and cyclones. Cauvery Calling has been advocating tree-based agriculture not only for its ecological benefits, but for its financial benefits for the farmers as well. There are various methods of tree planting, such as growing trees on the border of regular crops, intercropping them with the crops, and solely growing trees. Especially growing timber trees such as Teak, Red Sanders, Sandalwood, Malabar Kino, Malabar Neemwood, Haldinia Gordifolia increases the farmer income substantially in a few years.
Volunteers of Cauvery Calling have been visiting farmers all over Tamil Nadu, giving free consulting and guidance on tree-based agriculture. Volunteer activities include testing the soil and water, and suggesting trees that are best suited for that land.
Further, workshops are also arranged, where farmers can directly learn from other farmers who have already switched to tree-based agriculture. The next such Mega-Workshop has been scheduled on 24th July 2022 at Shri Deivasikamani’s farm in Thirukazhukundram, Chengalpattu District. More than 1,000 farmers from Tamil Nadu have registered to participate in this. Farmers from other districts, who are already practicing tree-based agriculture will also be imparting training at the workshop.
Farmers who wish to benefit from this workshop can call 9442590079, 9442590081 to register, said Tamilmaran.
Also present at the press meet were farmers Suresh Kumar from Chengalpattu, Jayachandran from Thiruvallur and Uma from Ranipettai.
