Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 29 December 2025
ICAR–Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), Sri Vijaya Puram, conducted a three-day hands-on skill development training programme on Scientific Propagation Techniques for Major Horticultural Crops of Andaman and Nicobar Islands from December 17 to 19, 2025. The programme was organised under the ICAR–All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Plantation Crops.
Nursery raising, recognised as a promising agri-business in the island ecosystem, offers significant livelihood opportunities. However, limited technical knowledge and lack of practical exposure have often deterred island youth from adopting nursery management as a profession. To address this gap and encourage self-employment, ICAR-CIARI designed the programme with a strong focus on practical learning and enterprise development.
The training comprised interactive sessions, practical demonstrations, field visits, presentations and hands-on exercises. It commenced with an overview of the fundamentals of plant propagation, followed by exposure visits to an exhibition area showcasing tools and inputs used in nursery and gardening operations. Participants were also given a live demonstration on the preparation of rooting hormones to familiarise them with plant multiplication processes.
Trainees visited the Horticultural Plants Propagation Unit of the Institute, where they were introduced to various protected structures, irrigation systems, sensors and techniques for microclimate control. Field visits were organised to the experimental fields at Garacharma and the Horticulture Research Farm, Sippighat, where participants were trained on the selection and management of quality mother plants.
Practical sessions included preparation of growing substrates, filling of polybags, root trainers and pro-trays, along with hands-on training in propagation through seeds, slips, stem cuttings, serpentine layering, air layering, approach grafting and softwood grafting. Participants were also introduced to DweepGoottee 365, an innovative year-round planting material production technique developed by ICAR-CIARI. Demonstrations on the use of coconut climbing devices for seed nut production and preparation and application of Bordeaux mixture for disease management in nurseries were also conducted.
Planting materials of various horticultural crops were distributed to the trainees at the end of the programme. The training was conducted by Dr. Ajit Arun Waman and Dr. Pooja Bohra, Senior Scientists and Course Directors, under the supervision of Dr. Jai Sunder, Director (Acting), ICAR-CIARI.
A total of eighteen participants, including entrepreneurs, farmers, educated youth and students, benefited from the programme, which aimed to promote skill-based entrepreneurship and strengthen horticultural nursery practices in the islands.
