Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 12 March 2025
A total of 540 students from Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School, Sri Vijaya Puram, along with 25 teachers, visited the Garacharma Research Complex of ICAR-CIARI over two days to gain insights into the institute’s pioneering research and technological advancements in agriculture and allied sciences.
On March 11, 2025, a group of 240 students accompanied by ten teachers explored the complex, followed by another batch of 300 students and 15 teachers on March 12, 2025. The educational visit aimed to provide students with a hands-on learning experience about cutting-edge research in agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, and natural resource management.
Dr. Ajit Arun Waman, Senior Scientist, and his team from the Horticulture Division introduced the students to the Medicinal Garden and the Horticulture Plant Propagation Unit, highlighting various plant species and their significance. Dr. J. Praveenraj and Dr. K. Saravanan led sessions on the freshwater ornamental fish unit and the Fisheries Museum, discussing the benefits of fish spas and the diverse marine life of the Andaman Islands.
Dr. Abhilash and his team from the Natural Resource Management Division elaborated on organic farming, integrated farming systems, and the Agromet Observatory Station, which records crucial weather parameters. In another informative session, Mr. A.K. Tripathi, Assistant Chief Technical Officer, introduced students to the Nakshatra Garden, a unique botanical collection based on astrology that features plants and trees associated with zodiac signs and stars.
Further enriching the visit, Mr. K. Shyam Sunder Rao, Senior Technical Assistant, demonstrated the micro-plot facility used for stress-related crop experiments, particularly on salinity tolerance. Mr. Bikash Ch. Mondal provided insights into the butterfly biodiversity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while Mr. Abbubaker, Technical Assistant, and Mr. Deep Kr. Mukarjee, Technician, guided students through the Modern Goat Unit and other facilities within the Animal Science Division.
The visit commenced with a warm welcome from Mr. D. Karunakaran, Scientist, who emphasized ICAR-CIARI’s commitment to advancing agricultural development in the region. The event was coordinated by Mr. D. Karunakaran, Ms. Asma Bibi (Senior Technical Assistant), Mr. Ali Akbar (Technician), and Mr. T. Adharsh Narayana (Young Professional-I) from the Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit, under the leadership of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director of ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram.
The students expressed enthusiasm for the interactive sessions and hands-on exposure to agricultural research, making the visit a valuable educational experience.