Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 30 August 2025
In a significant step towards strengthening agri-marketing opportunities in the Islands, the Dweep Sugandh – Sale Outlet was inaugurated on 29th August 2025, at Haddo by the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS.
The inaugural function was attended by Ms. Chanchal Yadav, IAS, Commissioner–cum-Secretary (Agriculture) as the special guest, along with Ms. Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, Secretary (Agriculture), Mr. Vinayak Chamadia, IAS, Director (IP&T), Mr. Sandeep Behera, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Ms. Priyanka Kumari, Director of Agriculture, officials from the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, and members of Self Help Groups (SHGs).
Conceptualized and established by the Department of Agriculture, the outlet has been set up as a common platform to showcase and market products of Sagarika, Vatika, Self-Help Groups, GI-tagged produce, and tribal crafts. The store offers a variety of items including spices, processed foods, handcrafted soaps, handicrafts, and other value-added products. The initiative aims to ensure fair price realisation for farmers and SHGs while giving consumers access to authentic, hygienic, and quality local products at reasonable prices.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Secretary lauded the efforts of the Agriculture Department and expressed confidence that Dweep Sugandh will serve as a vital platform to empower farmers, create livelihood opportunities, and strengthen the agriculture-based economy of the Islands. He also emphasized the need for branding and value addition to enhance the visibility of island produce at both national and international levels.
The inauguration of Dweep Sugandh reflects the Administration’s commitment to advancing the agriculture sector while promoting agriculture-based souvenir tourism in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. (Story Based on PR)
