Establishment of board for social forestry farmers demanded in Ongole

Ongole: The Andhra Pradesh Social Forestry Farmers Association demanded the government to set up a board like tobacco board for them to respond and provide solutions to the problems of the social forestry farmers and see the sale of wood go on smoothly as per the government promises.

The Andhra Pradesh Social Forestry Farmers Association members from various districts in the state met at Ranga Bhavan in Ongole on Tuesday and elected a new body to spearhead their agitation for a better price for their wood. They elected Talluri Baburao as president, Vadde Hanumareddy as general secretary, TV Seshaiah as secretary and other prominent farmers in various positions in the new committee.

In the meeting, the association leaders demanded the government to form a board for the subabul, eucalyptus, casuarinas, Malabar neem, bamboo and other social forestry farmers and provide better price to them. They demanded the government to establish a paper and pulp industry in Prakasam district to utilise the wood locally.

Their other demands include the purchase of wood through the market committees and provide revolving fund, announce compensation of Rs 25,000 to farms which went dry due to drought or burnt down due to the high heat wave. They demanded the government to impose cess on paper pulp being imported from other countries and see the officials implement the government approved prices for wood in the market.

They also demanded the officials to conduct a review meeting with the farmers at least once in two months to know the issues and settle them after hearing the voices of all farmers' associations.