Series of programmes conducted for farmers at RS, Minicoy, Lakshadweep
ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair conducted a series of events viz. training programme, interaction meeting, demonstration, exposure visit etc. for the farmers and stakeholders at Regional Station, Minicoy, Lakshadweep from 17th to 25th March, 2022. The event was organized under the supervision of Dr E. B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair with Scientific team comprising of Dr. S.K. Zamir Ahmed, Principal Scientist & Nodal Officer, Dr. Y. Gladston, Mrs. S. M. Ajina and Mr. A.K.O. Rateesh. The event was started with interaction meeting held with officials of KVK, Kavaratti, Department of Agriculture on 17th march. It was decided to provide the technological intervention in agriculture and allied fields for the betterment of the stakeholders of the Lakshadweep islands.
From 22nd to 25th March, 2022, a sensitization programme was conducted on GMP on coconut and demonstration of coconut climbing device. Dr Shrikant R. Tapdiya, Deputy Collector was the Chief Guest. In his address, he lauded the efforts of RS, Minicoy for conducting very useful sensitization programme and urged the Director to organize this type of progamme in future. Deputy Collector himself attempted climbing of the coconut tree with the device and exhorted that “if I can do, I expect the farmers too can put into practice”. He also distributed the inputs to farmers, which was attended by the officials of Department of Agriculture and farmers from different cluster of villages namely Bada, Aoumagu, Boduathiri, New Boduathiri, Rammedu, Sadivalu, Aloodi, Funhilol, Kudehi, Fallessery and Kendiparty villages. Technological intervention in coconut plantation, exhibiting practical demonstration of clean plantation, crown cleaning, coconut climbing using device and vermicompost application was done. Twenty five coconut climbing devices, 1000 seedlings of Lakshadweep Ordinary, and 100 bags of vermicompost (10 Kg each) were distributed. A total of 105 farmers attended the programme, of which 68 were women.
An exposure visit to demonstration farm of RS, Minicoy was organized on 24th March, wherein, 32 women farmers from 11 villages were benefitted. The highlight of the programme was practical demonstration on coconut climbing device which was later used by two active women for climbing the coconut tree. In the concluding remarks the group were sensitized to start a start-up on fish mart as there is no centralized fish selling outlet at Minicoy.
As a part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan “Beach cleaning programme” was also conducted by the Scientific team of RS Minicoy at Southern side of the coast along with officials from IMD and RPS. The team collected around 9 bags of litters comprising of abandoned nylon nets, plastic caps, bottles, plastic bags, styrofoam etc. The team sensitized the people in the area on good citizen practice to be followed and to spread the message of clean and green India.
A very effective linkage was formed with the visit of the scientific team of ICAR-CIARI with the KVK and the village leaders in transfer of technology to further the cause of agriculture and in upliftment of social economic profile of the islanders with monetary gain.
