Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 28 September 2025
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has sounded an alarm over what he termed as the “gross negligence” of the Agriculture Department and ICAR in addressing a deepening agrarian crisis in the Islands.
In a communication to Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah, and Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the MP highlighted that farmers are reeling under severe losses due to widespread infestations of Rugose Spiraling Whitefly and Mealybug in coconut, arecanut, banana and other fruit-bearing crops. He alleged that despite repeated warnings, the UT Administration and concerned agencies have failed to initiate effective preventive or scientific control measures.
Citing the Prime Minister’s vision of doubling farmers’ income, Mr. Ray said the situation in the Islands paints a grim picture. “Coconut water yield has fallen from over a litre to just 400–500 ml, arecanut production has nosedived from around 10 tons to only a few hundred kilograms, and local banana varieties have virtually vanished,” he stated. He also expressed concern over the plight of tribal farmers in Nicobar district, who depend entirely on agriculture for livelihood and food security.
The MP accused the Administration of ignoring repeated representations from farmers, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and even his own office. He further alleged that the Agriculture Department is being managed by non-technical officers, while ICAR-CARI scientists have failed to deliver results despite holding multiple meetings and field inspections.
In his letter, Shri Ray urged the Government of India to take immediate corrective measures, including:
- Deputing a high-level scientific expert team from the mainland to assess the situation and interact with farmers.
- Launching preventive and scientific control measures against pest infestations.
- Fixing accountability on Agriculture Department officials and ICAR scientists for negligence.
- Appointing qualified agricultural experts in key posts within the Islands’ Agriculture Department.
- Providing compensation to affected farmers and tribal communities after proper surveys.
- Organizing training and exposure visits for farmers on modern farming practices.
Warning of a collapse in the farming sector if urgent action is not taken, Mr. Ray appealed for direct intervention from the Centre. “The livelihoods of thousands of farmers are at stake. Unless immediate steps are taken, the Prime Minister’s vision of empowering farmers will remain unfulfilled,” he cautioned.
