Director Desk
ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), a premier research institute under Indian Council of Agricultural research was established on 23rd June 1978 by merging different Regional Research Stations of the ICAR Institutes viz., Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, and Central Plantation Crops Research Institute situated in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Since 2016, the Regional station of CPCRI located at Minicoy, Lakshadweep Islands was also merged with this Institute to serve as a Regional Station of ICAR-CIARI.
ICAR-CIARI is a committed institute working with Farming system approach. Integrated farming with coconut-based cropping systems and research in the field of crop improvement, water management conservation studies, livestock production, fisheries resource management, aquaculture, and management of the island ecosystems are the major areas. The research works There are four Divisions viz., Horticulture and Crop improvement, Natural Resource Management, Animal Science, and Fisheries Science.
During the last four and half decades of its vibrant existence, the Institute has contributed significantly to reduce the gap between demand and supply through research, extension, entrepreneurship and skill development programmes. Significant accomplishments which includes custodian farmers and communities of biodiversity conservation and utilization in Andaman & Nicobar Islands for Andaman Coconut, Nicobari Aloo, Khoon Phal, Blue mango, Noni, Khushbayya rice, Black Burma, Mushley, Nyawin, White Burma, Nicobari fowl, Nicobari pig, Andaman pig , Teressa goat, Andaman Goat and Andaman duck were recognized for the first time. The Institute facilitated for Plant Genome Saviour Community Award to Karen community for conservation of unique landraces of rice, Nicobari Aloo (Dioscorea alata) by PPV & FRA, New Delhi, breed conservation award for conservation of Nicobari Pig and Nicobari Fowl to Tribal Council, Car Nicobar. ICAR-CIARI was recognised by ICAR-NBAGR, Karnal for biodiversity conservation.
The year 2022, could witness revisiting the research program for refinement with set goals, beside self suffiency was achieved in water for institute On the other hand, for the first time the chapter of commercialization started in the institute accomplishing the scientist output as a technology product i.e Dweep-Hangreens - Hanging model, Dweep-Carp Grower Feed & Incubation Facility of Fish Feed Production, Dweep-Micro, Dweep –Vertigrow & Dweep-Gau Ma Humpsore Rakshak for entreneurship development amongst stakeholders.
During 2023, ICAR-CIARI took stride and celebrated Amrit Kaal as the year of patent, commercialization, breed registration and technology certification. Four patent were granted in the field of Novel acaricide compositions topical applications the method of preparation thereof, Dual procedure for preparation of liquid fertilizer and calcium alginate from brown seaweed, Parasitic egg concentrator & Coconut leaf midrib separator. Moreover, six more patent have been field.
The technologies, Dweep-Tickure, Nursery protocol for endemic wild banana, Concept of Mini incubator for rural poultry and Dweep-Gau Maa Rakshak for Humpsore were certified by ICAR. Further three new technologies namely Mango ginger paste, Formulation for control of ectoparasite in farm and pet animals and Parasitic egg concentrator have been submitted to the Agrinovate for commercialization. Iceing on the cake was record registration of three breeds of livestock from this Island namely Andamani goat, Andamani pig and Andamani duck. Beside registration of plant genetic resources i.e. Dwarf stature high yielding genotype with nutritionally rich fruit and seeds of noni. Two coconut varieties namely Dweep Haritha and Dweep Sona have been recommended for release in coastal areas.
Technology showcasing at Island and National level was done through numerous events like Kisan Mela, World veterinary day Workshop on Agro-Ecotourism, Interface Meet on documenting AnGR of A & N Islands & Conservation Unit of Teressa Goat, International and National Conferences. For wide spread of research and technologies visits of the farmers from all the three districts, exposure to island students on agriculture and allied technologies & youths for entrepreneurship and agro eco-tourism were the attempts made. ICAR-CIARI has identified media as a frontier tool in the dissemination of technology and farming-related information to the island communities
The Institute has developed linkages with several ICAR Institutes, SAUs, line departments, commodity boards like West Bengal University of Agriculture & Fisheries Science, Kolkata, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Nadia, Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, Chennai and Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneshwar, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Venkatara, Mannagudem, West Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli,Kerala Agricultural University KAU Main Campus KAU P.O., Vellanikkara Thrissur Kerala, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University Guntur (Dist.), Andhra Pradesh and undertaking collaborative research/ projects including AICPRs on several crops and animals.