Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 05 April 2025
A two-day training programme on “Organic Integrated Farming System (IFS) for Livelihood Improvement” was successfully conducted on April 2nd and 3rd at ICAR-CIARI’s experimental farm in Sri Vijaya Puram, Car Nicobar. The event was organized under the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) by the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Integrated Farming System, in collaboration with ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Car Nicobar.
As part of the initiative, seven goats and 19 piglets were distributed to 15 participating farmers to promote livestock integration into traditional farming practices.
Dr. I. Jaisankar, Senior Scientist (Agroforestry) and Principal Investigator of AICRP on IFS, introduced the concept of Integrated Farming System and highlighted its potential to improve farm income through the organic integration of multiple components such as vegetables, tubers, spices, fodder, fruits, and livestock including goat, pig, poultry, and fish farming. He shared outcomes from various experimental trials conducted by the institute that demonstrated the viability of these models.
Dr. Y. Ramakrishna, Head of KVK, South Andaman, emphasized the role of regenerative agriculture in ensuring nutritional security. He discussed CIARI’s technologies for organic waste management and integrated pest and disease control, while advocating vegetable cultivation as a core component of a sustainable farming system.
Dr. Abhilash, Scientist (Natural Resource Management), stressed the importance of weather forecasting in agricultural planning. He demonstrated the use of agrometeorological instruments and explained how medium-range forecasts can aid farmers in making timely decisions for farm operations.
Scientist Mr. Talaviya Harshang Kumar provided insights into the harmful effects of chemical pesticide use on agriculture, livestock, and fisheries. He underscored the benefits of organic farming and encouraged farmers to adopt integrated farming approaches for long-term sustainability in the islands.
In another key session, Dr. Prabhu, Scientist (Plant Genetic Resources), showcased high-value vegetable salad crops suited for integration into IFS models to boost both productivity and profitability.
During the valedictory session, division heads from ICAR-CIARI engaged directly with the farmers, answered their queries, and offered guidance on incorporating livestock into their farming practices. The entire programme was held under the leadership of Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram.