Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 07 October 2023
The ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI) and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), South Andaman, joined hands to conduct a comprehensive training program and exposure visit on agriculture and allied sectors for tribal leaders and progressive farmers hailing from the remote Nicobar Islands. This initiative, conducted under the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC), took place at ICAR-CIARI in Port Blair from September 22 to October 2, 2023.
The inaugural ceremony saw the esteemed presence of Dr. A.K. Singh, Chairman, RAC and Ex-DDG (NRM), at ICAR, New Delhi. Dr. Singh commended the efforts of ICAR-CIARI in organizing this program, emphasising the significance of such initiatives in benefiting the tribal farmers of the Nicobar Islands. He urged tribal leaders and progressive farmers to make the most out of this opportunity.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director of ICAR-CIARI, encouraged participants to actively engage with the training program, emphasising the adoption of the institute’s technologies for the betterment of tribal farming communities on the remote islands. Dr. Chakurkar also called upon the participants to explore suitable techniques and develop branding for agricultural products, with the aim of improving the livelihoods of tribal farmers.
A total of 14 tribal leaders and progressive farmers from islands including Chowra, Katchal, Kamorta, Teressa, Nancowrie, and Great Nicobar participated in the training program. The comprehensive curriculum covered various aspects of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries sectors. Participants were given an in-depth insight into the research and development activities carried out by the institute through visits to various farms and facilities.
During the valedictory ceremony, participants expressed their satisfaction with the training program and pledged to disseminate the knowledge and techniques they acquired for the benefit of their tribal communities. Mr. Rasheed, representing the Tribal Development Council, extended gratitude to ICAR-CIARI for their efforts in conducting the training program and requested continued support in the future.
The program was skilfully conducted and coordinated by a team of experts from ICAR-CIARI, including Dr. Y. Ramakrishna, Dr. Jai Sunder, Dr. S.K. Zamir Ahmed, Dr. P.K. Singh, Dr. T. Subramani, Dr. I. Jaisankar, and Dr. K. Saravanan, along with the scientific and technical team from KVK, South Andaman. The initiative received overall guidance from Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director of ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.