ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair celebrated its 46th Foundation Day on 23rd June, 2022 with great pomp and ceremony and lighting of lamp by the Dignitaries and farmers at Dr.T.R. Dutta conference hall of Garacharma Research complex of the institute.
Ms Nandini Paliwal, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, A& N Administration was the Chief Guest. Dr.C. Sivaperuman, Officer in Charge, ZSI, Port Blair and Smt.Archana Singh, General Manager, NABARD, Port Blair were present as Guests of Honour. Dr.T.V.R.S Sharma, Ex. PS, CIARI & Ex GB member ICAR delivered Foundation Day lecture on “My experience at CIARI and its development for the benefit of Andaman and Nicobar Farming Community”.
The Chief Guest Ms Nandini Paliwal, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, A& N Admn appreciated and congratulated all the awardees, especially the farmers and the entrepreneurs. She further expressed that Island is having typical problem of upscaling agriculture, animal husbandary, fisheries and other allied sectors on large scale, may be due to limited resources and non- availability proper backward and forward linkages. There is need to have proper synergy between the triangle comprising of knowledge, policy and marketing to carry forward the agricultural and allied technologies for sustainable remuneration. She concluded her speech with the request to Director, CIARI to organise an International symposium to make assemble the scientific fraternity of different Island Nation to debate on various pros and cons, exchange of ideas, technologies & policy framework. At the Mela ground she inaugurated the agriculture drone used for effective crop management and also planted the coconut sapling in a presence of other dignitaries and staff of CIARI.
The Guest of Honour, Smt. Archana Singh, General Manager, NABARD, Port Blair expressed her desire to have many more collaborative programmes with the proactive scientific team of CIARI benefitting the farmer from far flung island. Dr .C. Sivaperuman, Officer in charge, ZSI, Port Blair called upon the august gathering to visit CIARI which is a good scientific institute for seeking knowledge on bio diversity with special reference to bird watching.
Dr Eaknath B Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI in his presidential address briefed about the various achievement of the institute during one year and expressed that many high rated papers were published and technologies commercialization, beside two varieties of coconut were released at National level, three animal genetic resources registered. established coconut & pandanus block and conducted Webinars and National seminars. He also appreciated the achievement made by the staff of the institute in reaching new heights in service plus the women contingents of sports for bringing laurels to the Institute. Beside challenges such as effective fund utilization, mitigating water scarcity in campus approaching and aiming towards reducing the power energy uses were also put forth.
Dr.TV.R.S. Sharma, Ex PS, CIARI and Ex GB member ICAR delivered foundation day lecture on online mode wherein he shared his experience of working in CIARI. He threw light on conservation of native species of plants and underutilized fruits, popularize IFS and also suggested to conduct International workshop involving nearby island researchers and policy makers.
The Chief guest and the other delegates honoured the awardees in the category of scientist, administration, technical, Skilled supporting and contractual workers during the occasion. The function was attended by officer of Development Department, Central Government, progressive farmers, scientific community from CIARI & RS Minicoy and Staff, KVK personal and media.
At the outset Dr. Jai Sunder, Principal Scientist, Incharge PME, ICAR-CIARI welcomed the august gathering and Dr. P.K. Singh, Principal Scientist, Head Incharge HCIP, ICAR-CIARI expressed the vote of thanks. Dr. Sirisha Adamala, Scientist coordinated the programme.