Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 21 June 2025
In a significant effort to enhance agricultural practices among tribal farming communities, the ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), Garacharma, conducted a three-day capacity-building programme on “Advanced Tuber Crop Cultivation and Value Addition” for Nicobari farmers in the Nancowrie Islands from June 16 to 18.
The training was led by Dr. I. Jaisankar, Senior Scientist (Agroforestry) and Principal Investigator of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Tuber Crops. The sessions covered a broad spectrum of topics, including tuber crop diversity and conservation, organic cultivation methods, agronomic practices, regenerative agriculture, and pest and disease management in tuber crops.
Farmers were also educated on the preparation of piggery feed using tuber crops, sweet potato-based product development, CIARI-developed agricultural technologies, and organic waste management. As part of the programme, an awareness session was conducted under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Seva initiative on soil and water conservation techniques for resilient farming during the monsoon season in Nicobar.
A hands-on demonstration on the use of the “Dweep Leaf Separator”—a tool designed to remove midribs from coconut leaves—was given to women farmers. A total of 50 units were distributed during the event.
Further empowering the participants, CIARI distributed 500 rooted cuttings of sweet potato and 500 tapioca setts to the attending farmers. The training programme witnessed active participation from 118 tribal farmers representing the villages of Sanu, Kamorta, Vikas Nagar, Bada Enaka, and Munak in the Nancowrie Islands.
The initiative was coordinated by Dr. Santosh Kumar, Head, KVK Car Nicobar; Dr. Abhilash and Mr. Talaviya Harshang Kumar, both Scientists (NRM). The entire programme was held under the guidance of Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram.
