BANGALORE: Unable to meet the demands of the tobacco growers in Hunsur in connection with the supply of firewood post harvest processing practices,Karnataka Forest Minister requested farmers to look out for alternative sources of energy.
Speaking after receiving the the Karnataka Western Ghats Task Force report here on Wednesday, the minister said, the tobacco growers across the state used to consume about 6 lakh tonnes of firewood every year.
He added the government may consider to subsidise if the farmers procure coal from the Union Government. Also, the farmers would be compensated if they decide to switch over to other crops.According to him, in Karnataka there were around 5,6000 registered farmers, who were authorised to grow the commercial crop tobacco in their lands.