Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 25 July 2025
In a bid to promote scientific and sustainable farming practices, the Union Territory Agriculture Technology Management Agency (UTATMA), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, A&N Administration, has been conducting a series of Training Programmes, Demonstrations, and Farm School sessions across various blocks of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
These initiatives aim to equip farmers with practical knowledge, introduce them to modern technologies and government schemes, and encourage best agricultural practices to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and boost incomes.
As part of these efforts, a two-day training programme on ‘Fodder Cultivation’ was held on 22nd and 23rd July 2025 at the Veterinary Dispensary, Kadamtala, in Rangat Block. The programme was jointly organised by UTATMA, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services. It was inaugurated by Ms. Leela Barh, Pradhan, and Mr. T. V. Mohan Rao, PRI Member, Kadamtala, and saw active participation from local farmers and departmental officials.
In another effort, the Department of Agriculture conducted a training session on ‘Multi-tier Cropping, Intercropping, and Multispecies Cropping’ in the field of Mr. Kunjalal Hawlader at Kadamtala village. Mr. Bikash Paramanik, PRI Member, was present and encouraged farmers to adopt scientific farming techniques.
The training events were attended by officials from the Departments of Fisheries, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, along with ATMA functionaries and Farmers’ Friends. Their collective participation provided farmers with expert guidance and technical inputs relevant to the Kharif season.
Demonstration programmes were also conducted in Prothrapur and Rangat blocks. At Sippighat, Prothrapur, a demonstration on ‘Vermicomposting in Vermibed’ was held in the field of Mr. Harbanz Lall. In Rangat, the Department of Fisheries organized two demonstrations at Dasarathpur on ‘Nursery Pond Management and Fish Seed Preparation’ and ‘Safety Measures for Fishers at Sea’ in the fields of Mr. Prakash Halder and Mr. Manindra Dakua, respectively. These sessions were held in the presence of Ms.. Jayanthi Mistry, Ward Member, Dasarathpur.
Additionally, the first and second classes of the Farm School on ‘Broiler Production’ were conducted at the Veterinary Hospital, Rangat, in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services. The sessions were led by Dr. Aleena Rajan, SVO, Rangat, and focused on best practices in poultry management.
Altogether, 40 farmers participated in the training programmes, while 25 farmers attended the Farm School sessions in Rangat Block, benefitting from hands-on learning and expert mentorship.
