Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 07 July 2025
In a significant step towards empowering rural women and promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices, ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Nimbudera, organized a one-day training programme on “Skilling Krishi Sakhis in Natural Farming.” The initiative aimed to enhance the capacity of Krishi Sakhis—grassroots-level women agriculture workers—in adopting and advocating for sustainable, chemical-free farming techniques.
The training commenced with a welcome and introductory session by Mr. Rakesh Dawar, Subject Matter Specialist (Agronomy), who emphasized the importance of natural farming for improving soil health, reducing input costs, and uplifting the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers in the islands.
During the technical sessions, Er. Manoj Kumar, SMS (Agricultural Engineering), highlighted the relevance of low-input sustainable farming methods in the context of North and Middle Andaman’s unique agro-ecological landscape. Mr. Subham Debroy, SMS (Aquaculture), explained the key components of natural farming, while Mr. Yatharth Sharma, SMS (Home Science), discussed the nutritional benefits of organic produce and its potential to improve community health and well-being.
In the post-lunch session, Mr. Rakesh Dawar led a hands-on training session that provided practical demonstrations on the preparation and application of natural farming inputs, including Beejamrit, Jeevamrit, Neemastra, and Agniastra. Participants were trained in the application techniques and dosage of these bio-inputs to facilitate adoption in their respective villages.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from 21 rural women, who expressed a strong interest in implementing natural farming methods in their communities.
The training was conducted under the supervision of Dr. V. Damodaran, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK, North and Middle Andaman, and under the overall guidance of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram.
