Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 01 February 2025
In a significant move to empower women and enhance Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) production in the Nicobar Islands, the District Administration has initiated specialized training sessions for Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Conducted in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), the sessions aim to equip women with advanced techniques for VCO extraction, packaging, and marketing.
The initiative comes in the wake of Nicobar’s Virgin Coconut Oil receiving the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag, a recognition that underscores its unique quality and traditional production methods. With this training, the administration seeks to ensure that women involved in VCO production maintain high standards of quality and hygiene while maximizing their income potential.
A strategic meeting chaired by Mr. Amit Kale, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Nicobar, and attended by Mr. Aditya Sangotra, Assistant Commissioner of Nancowry, along with other senior officials, laid out the roadmap for strengthening the VCO industry. Key directives were issued to organize training sessions for SHGs, with expert trainers from Krishi Vigyan Kendras guiding participants on integrating modern machinery with traditional extraction techniques. The sessions emphasize technical expertise, hygiene, and quality control to enhance the overall production process.
Experts from KVKs have already conducted hands-on training for women SHGs in Kamorta, Chowra, and Teresa. These sessions not only introduced advanced production techniques but also reinforced the importance of maintaining stringent hygiene standards to ensure high-quality output.
As part of a broader initiative to strengthen the VCO value chain, the CD Block Nancowry has established a dedicated producing group named ‘Manula Mathai Payuh’, comprising members from existing SHGs in Nancowry and also open to participation from SHGs in Campbell Bay and Car Nicobar. The collective will facilitate the aggregation of surplus production from all SHGs, ensuring streamlined packaging, labeling, and marketing of Nicobar’s Virgin Coconut Oil. This structured approach is expected to enhance profitability and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for tribal women.
The training sessions are anticipated to have a transformative impact, enabling women to produce premium-quality VCO that meets market demands while preserving the traditional techniques that make Nicobar’s Virgin Coconut Oil distinctive. By fostering technical expertise and economic independence, this initiative marks a crucial step towards strengthening the region’s VCO industry and empowering its women entrepreneurs.