Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 25 March 2025
A group of 156 students and six teachers from Government Senior Secondary School, Bathu Basti, Sri Vijaya Puram, visited the Garacharma Research Complex of ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) on a study tour aimed at enriching their understanding of ongoing research initiatives.
The visit provided the students with valuable insights into various divisions of ICAR-CIARI. Dr. Ajit Arun Waman, Senior Scientist, Horticulture Division, introduced the students to the Medicinal Garden, explaining its significance and potential applications. Dr. J. Praveenraj elaborated on the establishment of the freshwater ornamental fish unit and highlighted the growing market demand for aquarium setups in residential and commercial spaces.
Dr. Abhilash and his team from the Natural Resource Management Division demonstrated the use of advanced sensors at the Agromet Observatory Station to monitor weather conditions effectively. Meanwhile, Dr. Sharath S. Yeligar, Scientist, provided an overview of the Modern Goat Unit, Rabbit Unit, and other key facilities under the Animal Science Division. Additionally, Mr. Alex Praveen Barla, Senior Technical Assistant, familiarized the students with the extensive collection of books and journals available in the institute’s library.
Prior to the commencement of activities, Mr. D. Karunakaran, Scientist, extended a warm welcome to the visiting students and emphasized ICAR-CIARI’s commitment to promoting agricultural innovation and sustainability in the islands. The visit was meticulously coordinated by Mr. D. Karunakaran, Mr. T. Adharsh Narayana (Young Professional-I), and Mr. Uma Sankar from the Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit, under the guidance of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram.
The educational visit offered the students a unique opportunity to witness cutting-edge agricultural research and gain practical knowledge, fostering a deeper interest in the field.