Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 16 October 2025
The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, virtually inaugurated newly established Copra Drying Units at four locations — Progeny Farm, Rama Krishna Pur (Little Andaman), Multipurpose Farm, Perka (Car Nicobar), Multipurpose Farm, Kamorta, and Industrial Estate, Joginder Nagar (Campbell Bay) — on October 14, 2025.
The virtual inauguration took place in the presence of Ms. Chanchal Yadav, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Agriculture); Mr. Arjun Sharma, IAS, Deputy Commissioner (South Andaman); Ms. Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, Secretary (Agriculture); and other senior officers during the Standing Officers Meeting held at the Secretariat.
At Car Nicobar, the event was attended by Mr. Amit Kale, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar District, Mr. Lionald Nicomede, Chairman, Tribal Council, Dr. Navin Kumar, Assistant Commissioner (HQ), Mr. Martin Luther, Secretary, Tribal Council, and Mr. Paul David, 1st Captain, Perka Village, among others.
Addressing the farming community virtually, the Chief Secretary described the initiative as a major step forward for the island’s agricultural sector. He emphasised that the success of the Copra Drying Units would depend on consistent handholding, regular monitoring of electricity consumption, proper training of operators, and strict adherence to safety protocols and Standard Operating Procedures.
Ms. Chanchal Yadav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Agri), highlighted that the Agriculture Department would ensure monthly reporting on copra production and encouraged efforts toward packaging, branding, and diversification into value-added products such as coconut sugar. In response, the Deputy Commissioner, Car Nicobar, informed that steps are being taken to promote the formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) within the community.
Ms. Pallavi Sarkar, Secretary (Agriculture), briefed the participants on the operational details, stating that each unit is equipped with an installed capacity of 2,000 nuts and features a vacuum packaging machine. A video presentation showcased the four sites and demonstrated the copra drying and packaging processes.
The Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar District, also informed that a local committee headed by the Assistant Commissioner (HQ), Car Nicobar, has been constituted to identify and select Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to manage the Copra Drying Units.
The Tribal Council, Car Nicobar, expressed gratitude to the Administration for setting up the facility, terming it a boon for the island’s farming community.
At Little Andaman, the event witnessed enthusiastic participation from tribal and local representatives including Mr. Andrew Mosses, Mr. Festus Nathaniel, Ms. Seuli Mondal, Mr. Anjan Biswas, and other members of the Panchayati Raj Institutions and the Department of Agriculture.
Similarly, at Kamorta, community leaders such as Ms. Aysha Majid (CTC, Nancowry), Mr. Charles Jacob (CTC, Kamorta), and several First Captains and Agriculture Department officials participated in the event.
At Campbell Bay, Mr. E.S. Rajesh, Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti, Campbell Bay, along with Mr. Sanjay Ekka, Up-Pramukh, and other PRI members, SHG representatives, and farmers attended the inauguration. The Pramukh stated that the newly installed copra dryer and vacuum packaging machine will significantly benefit farmers of Laxmi Nagar and Govind Nagar Panchayats, enabling them to produce high-quality copra and secure better market prices.
The programme concluded with a live interaction between the Chief Secretary and farmers who joined the event virtually from across the islands.
