FORUM-CUM-CONSORTIUM of IND-FARMER with Govt. (PCCF-SFRI)

Attempt to make
FORUM-CUM-CONSORTIUM
of
IND-FARMER with Govt. (PCCF-SFRI)

To Provide financial protection to the produce of areas under agroforestry and to increase agricultural diversification in the state of Punjab, a high level meeting was held on 7th April, under the chairman ship of Mr. Parveen Kumar Principal chief Conservator of Forest (Punjab), to make a Forum-Cum-Consortium for resolving & understanding day to day problems of plywood industry, farmers & growers of Agro forestry crop. i.e. POPLAR, SAFEDA, BAMBOO etc. In the premises of Dr. Satnam Singh, Director SFRI “(State Forest Research Institute) ladowal, Ludhiana”

In the meeting leading farmers, growers & all the high ups of Punjab Forest Department & technical experts from SFRI & Punjab Agriculture University, key office bearers of Punjab plywood manufacturers association (PPMA) & North India plywood manufacturers association (NIPMA)were present.

Mr. Ashok Kumer Juneja, chairman & Inderjit Singh Sohel, president, PPMA told the PCCF that, central Empowered committee constituted by hon’ble supreme court of India for wood based industries, has already directed that, the states will issue new licenses for plywood units only If there is no shortage of POPLAR & SAFEDA wood. But, at present there is huge shortage of said wood therefore no new licenses should be issued.

Mr. Naresh Tiwari, President North India Plywood Manufacturers Association (NIPMA) said that govt. should grow agro

crop at corners of Roads, rivers, vacant places & panchayati Lands.

Mr. Harmohan Singh, leader of Farmers Community promised that they will grow maximum Agro Wood since the rates and realisation is the best from said crop & future is bright.

Mr. Mahesh Gupta, Magnus Plywood Pvt. Ltd. said that. There is need to follow China, which alone manufactures 73% plywood of total world demand whereas India stands at 14% only.

Dr. Sanjeev Chauhan, Prof. Punjab Agriculture University said that farmers are backbone of the economy and that’s why govt. is trying to figure out a module to connect farmers with industrialists to boost demand of agroforestry produce.

Mr. Davinder Handa, Mr. Ashu, Mr. Satish, Mr. Gopal Agarwal, Mr. Avinash Singla, Avinash Agro, Mr Sheetal Gupta, Mr. Sukhdev Chhabra attended the meeting along with representatives of Virgo Plywood & Century Plywood Co.

Mr. Bram Shanker Jimpa, Cabinet Minister, Punjab was honoured by the industrialists.

P.C.C.F. Mr. Parveen Kumar concluded the event with assurance to further take up the issue with Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak, State forest Minister on whose directions this meeting was convened.