ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute and KVK, South Andaman conducted a training programme cum exposure visit on agriculture and allied sectors for the tribal captains and progressive farmers of Nicobar Islands under the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC)at ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair during 22-09-2023 to 02-10-2023. During the inaugural programme, Dr.A.K. Singh, Chairman, RAC and Ex-DDG (NRM), ICAR, New Delhi appreciated the efforts of ICAR-CIARI to conduct such programme benefitting the tribal farmers of Nicobar Islands and insisted the tribal captains and progressive farmers to reap maximum benefit out of the programme. In his address, Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI urged the participants to actively take part in the training programme so as to adopt the technologies developed by the Institute benefiting the tribal farming communities of the remote Islands. He also appealed to the participants to adopt the suitable techniques and develop branding of the agricultural products so as to improve the livelihood of tribal farmers.
Altogether, 14number of tribal captains and progressive farmers from Chowra, Katchal, Kamorta, Teressa, Nancowrie and Great Nicobar attended the training programme covering various aspects of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and fisheries sectors. The participants were exposed to various farms and facilities of the Institute and explained in detail about the research and development activities. During the valedictory programme, the participants expressed their satisfaction towards the conduct of the training programme. The participants also assured that they will disseminate the new techniques learned during the training programme for the benefit of their tribal community. On behalf of the participants, Mr. Rasheed from Tribal Development Council expressed his gratitude to ICAR-CIARI for conducting the training programme and requested to extend the same kind of support in future. The programme was conducted and coordinated by Dr. Y. Ramakrishna, Dr. Jai Sunder, Dr. S.K. Zamir Ahmed, Dr. P.K. Singh, Dr. T. Subramani, Dr. I. Jaisankar and Dr. K. Saravanan along with the scientific and technical team from ICAR-CIARI and KVK, South Andaman under the overall guidance of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.