Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 04 September 2025
World Coconut Day was celebrated today at the Horticulture Research Farm, Sippighat of ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Plantation Crops. The global observance, held every year on September 2, aims to highlight the importance of coconut in ensuring livelihood security for farming communities. This year’s theme was “Uncovering Coconut’s Power, Inspiring Global Action.”
Dr. Ajit Arun Waman, Senior Scientist and Principal Investigator of the project, welcomed the participants and explained the objectives of the programme. Attendees were taken on the Dweep Agro Eco Walk, where they learned about prospects of coconut-based agro-ecotourism under island conditions. They were also introduced to coconut-based cropping system models that integrate cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, black pepper, rhizomatous spices, elephant foot yam, banana, pineapple and ornamental plants to enhance farm income.
Participants were shown the diversity of coconut conserved at the institute’s World Coconut Germplasm Centre and witnessed demonstrations on innovative practices such as pheromone-based management of rhinoceros beetle, soil and water conservation techniques, and the use of DweepCinnRub for cinnamon harvesting.
The event saw the participation of 23 women, including members of 10 self-help groups, along with students and young enthusiasts. Planting material of the improved coconut variety DweepHaritha, developed by ICAR-CIARI, was also distributed.
The programme was organized under the guidance of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, and coordinated by Mr. Michael, Director, DISHA, South Andaman, along with Mr. Ujjawal Kumar and Mr. T.A. Kumar Tirkey from ICAR-CIARI.
