Tree nursery owners trained on quality management

Trichy: The forest department organized a capacity building training programme for tree nursery owners in the district in Mukkombu here on Monday. The event focused on improving the production of high-quality planting materials and advancing sustainable agroforestry practices.Specialists from major forestry research institutions and wood-based industries talked about scientific nursery management and ways to increase the supply of quality planting stock. They stressed that these practices would strengthen sustainable forestry and agroforestry development.Scientist R Anandalakshmi from the Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), Coimbatore, explained seed handling methods and certification procedures in detail. Chief technical officer K Shanthi described propagation techniques for key timber species, while technical officer K. Suresh Kumar covered practical nursery raising methods for timber varieties.Assistant professor V Bhaskaran from the Forest College and Research Institute (FCRI), Mettupalayam, presented strategies for integrated disease management in nurseries. Deputy conservator T Kannan from the modern nursery division in Dharmapuri highlighted the benefits and use of biofertilizers in nursery operations. A Selvaraju, deputy manager at Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL), Karur, spoke on large-scale clonal production techniques and supplying quality material to farmers.From Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited (SPBL), Pallipalayam, assistant general manager M Selvam conducted an industry interaction session, and executive M Sivakumar gave a lecture on the promising future of agroforestry and its role in meeting rising industrial wood needs.About 50 private nursery owners attended the programme. Certificates and honorarium were presented to participants during the valedictory function.Deputy conservator K Saravanakumar organized the event as per directions of principal chief conservator I Anwardeen and chief conservator K Geethangali, as part of the Green Tamil Nadu Mission.