Sri Vijaya Puram | March 5, 2026
The ICAR–Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI) organised a skill development programme aimed at promoting income generation through ethno-veterinary medicinal practices among the Nicobarese tribal farming community.
The programme was conducted from February 24 to March 3, 2026, under a Department of Science and Technology (India)-funded project titled “Promotion of Socioeconomic Status and Self-Employment of Nicobarese Tribes through Scientific Validation of Ethno-Veterinary Tribal Medicinal Knowledge and Herbal Product Development.”
A total of 11 Nicobarese tribal healers from Car Nicobar participated in the training programme held at ICAR-CIARI. The participants were trained on generating income through ethno-veterinary medicinal practices and traditional herbal formulations.
During the programme, the tribal healers interacted with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and were introduced to various marketing channels. They also showcased herbal preparations traditionally used for treating ailments such as fever, wounds and fractures, body pain and swelling, mouth ulcers, and cold.
The participants were further introduced to the scientific preparation and validation of herbal formulations developed by ICAR-CIARI. Dr. Nitu Sindhu, State Mission Coordinator at the Directorate of Social Welfare, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, provided detailed guidance on marketing strategies during the programme.
She briefed the participants about initiatives and institutions supporting tribal entrepreneurship, including the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation, the State Tribal Development Corporation (Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti), and Tribal Haats.
Dr. Sindhu also highlighted potential marketing avenues such as airport souvenir shops, corporate gifting, festive hampers, and the wellness sector, including herbal immunity powders, traditional healing products, and aromatic and spiritual products.
The programme was organised by Dr. T. Sujatha, Principal Investigator and Chairperson of the programme, under the guidance of Dr. Jai Sunder, Director of ICAR-CIARI.
According to the organisers, the programme proved fruitful in developing strategies to popularise traditional knowledge and explore opportunities for enhancing income generation through indigenous medicinal practices.
