Genesis
It is playing a pivotal role in bridging the gap between research technologies developed by the Institute and that practiced in farmers’ field through Out Reach Centre, KVKs and Regional Station at Minicoy, Lakshadweep. It is shouldering the responsibility in conducting socio-economic and environmental impact of technologies developed by the Institute and providing policy recommendations to A & N and Lakshadweep Administration. Besides, it conducts customized capacity building programmes, Island Kisan Melas, Regional Agricultural Fair, Coordination of dignitary and student visits, media management, consultancy services, inter-coordination with line departments and tribal council. ICT driven technology and information dissemination system for quick and cost-effective delivery of information to all the stockholders in agriculture and allied sector are undertaken through AKMU and also coordinates the Government of India’s flagship programmes viz. Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav, PMFME and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
| Thrust Area |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Vulnerability studies of Island ecosystem and adaptive strategies to develop climate resilient agriculture |
|||
| Transfer of technology, capacity building, policy support and market intelligence to stake holders |
|||
| Infrastructure |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) |
|||
| Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit (AKMU) |
|||
| Choupal |
|||
| Dweep Krishi Darpan |
|||
| Conference Hall |
|||
| Non-Research Achievements |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology dissemination through Media |
|||
| Outreach programme of CIARI-AIR for Island farmers under COVID-19 arena |
|||
| Keeping in view the MHA guidelines on preventive measures to be adopted while undertaking any activities benefiting the farmers, CIARI has launched an “Outreach Programme for Island farmers under COVID-19 Arena” on 16th July 2020 marking the 92nd Foundation Day of ICAR, in collaboration with All India Radio, Port Blair to disseminate technical know-how and do-how on growing high yielding varieties of paddy in the lowland area and plantation, spices, fruits and vegetables in mid and upland area, Indian Major Carp (IMC) fishes in farm ponds besides rearing livestock. The innovative programme has been designed in a unique way to disseminate the technology through Radio from its own campus, to address the need of the farmers practicing agriculture & allied activities and to guide them to have a good enterprise of crop-livestock-poultry-fish with backward and forward linkage in a systematic manner. Overall, 71 topics of total duration 814’98” have been covered by 75 experts comprising Scientists, Senior Administrative Officer, Technical Officers, Subject Matter Specialists of KVK – North & Middle Andaman, South Andaman and Nicobar districts, GM, NABARD and progressive farmers. The programme was broadcasted from Wednesday to Saturday at 06.00 PM in Kisan Vani programme at 684 KHz MW, DD free dish radio channel No.25 &live streaming on Newsonair app. |
|||
| Technology popularisation through social media |
|||
| Twitter posts have earned 25,000 impressions, Facebook posts reached 10,400 views on YouTube posts watched by 17,000 viewers. and Institute’s website by 12,313 visitors during the period from October 2021 to December 2021. |
|||
| Farmers’ Corner – A knowledge hub in local Daily |
|||
| In order to disseminate the knowledge on technological backstopping in agriculture and allied activities for a wider audience, a column has been dedicated by the Andaman Administration for ICAR-CIARI in the Daily Telegram (English) newspaper under the caption “Farmers’ Corner – A knowledge hub”. Launched on 08.09.2021, 86 technologies were published on daily basis covering Horticulture, Animal Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Field crops, and Fisheries, |
|||
| Live streaming phone-in-program in Door Darsan Kerndra (DDK), Port Blair on “Doubling farmers’ income through agricultural and allied technologies” |
|||
| Launched on April 2021, 14 live telecasts were carried out involving scientist/experts based on the topical importance for their deliberation and interaction to reach larger audience through DDK Port Blair. |
|||
| Scheduled Tribe Component |
|||
|
Under STC, following programmes have been organized to empower the tribal farmers of the Islands covering Car Nicobar (Nicobar District), Harminder Bay(South Andaman District) & Minicoy (Lakhsadweep). The target groups were Nicobaris & Onges of ANI and ST farmers of Lakhshadweep. |
|||
| 1. Training programme for Nicobaris in NASI, Allahabad |
|||
| An awareness building and sensitization programmme on “Health, Nutrition and Environment” for Nicobari tribal farmers has been organized in collaboration with National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad. Consequently, two projects viz. piggery and horticulture were sanctioned with the financial outlay of Rs.30 lakhs. |
|||
| 2. Foldscope training for Nicobaris in collaboration with ICAR-NIBSM, Raipur |
|||
| Foldscope is the ultra-affordable, paper microscope weighs only 8 grams. Designed to be extremely portable, durable, and to give optical quality similar to conventional research microscopes (magnification of 140X and 2-micron resolution), Foldscope brings hands-on microscopy to new places. |
|||
| The magnification power is enough to enable the spotting of organisms such as Leishmania donovani and Escherichia coli, as well as malarial parasites. |
|||
| A Foldscope can be printed on a standard A4 sheet of paper and assembled in seven minutes. |
|||
| It is part of the "frugal science" movement which aims to make cheap and easy tools available for scientific use in the developing world. |
|||
| A one-day workshop on “Role of Foldscope Microscopy in minimizing the risk of zoonotic diseases at field level, diagnosis of plant diseases and ensure the personal hygiene of tribal farmers” was organized in collaboration with ICAR-NIBSM, Raipur for Nicobarese tribal farmers at Harminder Bay, Little Andaman. |
|||
| 3. Horticulture based nutritious kitchen garden demonstration for Onges with AAJVS, A&N Administration |
|||
| The first visit to Dugong creek was made by the team constituting of Director CIARI, Director ANTRI and Dr S.K. Zamir Ahmed P.S. on 26/12/2017 to study the ground reality and prepare the plan of action. With the consensus of end user, It was deliberated to have a intervention of Horticulture based Nutritious Kitchn Gardn (HNKG) to enable the onges to get leafy vegetables, fruits etc for their nutritional security. |
|||
| After approval on completion of the SOP, second visit was made by CIARI Team and AAJVS on 20/02/2019, to select and layout Horticulture based Nutritious Kitchen Garden in an area of 200 m2 in participatory mode involving the Onges which later on upscaled to 600 m2. Inputs were provided with technical know-how and the intervention was materialised. The total population Onges was 122 then. |
|||
| Due to lockdown since March 2020, no such follow-up activity could be carried out due to GOI preventive measures on COVID 19, with special emphasis to save the ethnic tribes from the pandemic. |
|||
| As the lockdown restrictions have been relaxed, it has been planned to distribute 150 vegetable seed kits to Onges whose population is now 126 and 50 vegetable seed kits to Great Andmanese whose population is now 76, through AAJVS. |
|||
| 4. Scientist-Farmer interaction at RS Minicoy, Lakshadweep |
|||
| One Scientist-Farmer Interaction was organized at the Regional Station in Minicoy, Lakshadweep, wherein 300 vegetables kits were distributed to the trainees for growing under backyard to ensure nutritional security for the family. A total of 628 beneficiaries were targeted comprising of ST farmers of Minicoy. |
|||
| 5. Exposure visit of Nicobarese to National Banana Exhibition at Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu |
|||
| A panel of three Nicobari tribals (2 female and 1 male) were taken for an exposure visit to the National Banana Exhibition conducted by ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu wherein they were imparted knowledge about latest agricultural technologies, banana diversity across Tamil Nadu, new banana varieties, value added products of banana etc. In an attempt to showcase the importance of banana in the livelihood of tribals in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the panel of Nicobari tribals prepared and displayed 3 banana-based traditional food recipes during all the 3 days of the Exhibition and shared their farming experience with the visiting farmers from across Tamil Nadu. |
|||
| 6. Training on agricultural technologies for enhancing the income and nutritional security of Nicobari tribals |
|||
| A scientific team visited Tapoiming, Kinyuka and Chukchucha villages of Car Nicobar between 15th and 22nd March 2022 and conducted a capacity building programme for Nicobari tribal farmers on “Agricultural technologies for enhancing the income and nutritional security of tribals”. In total, 350 farmers participated who were given vegetable seed kit for establishing nutritious kitchen gardens in their backyard. |
|||
| 7. Training, interaction, demonstration and exposure visit for Lakshadweep farmers |
|||
| Conducted a series of training, interaction, demonstration and exposure visit for Lakshadweep farmers at its Regional Station, Minicoy, Lakshadweep from 17th to 25th March, 2022. Twenty-five coconut climbing devices, 1000 seedlings of coconut var. Lakshadweep Ordinary, and 100 bags of vermicompost were distributed to farmers from different cluster of villages viz. 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. 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. |
|||
| 8. Demonstration of Agriculture and allied apps for enhancing production and income of Nicobari tribal farmers |
|||
| Organized one-day training programme on 20th March, 2022 at Harminder Bay Village, Hut Bay, Little Andaman on “Demonstration of Agriculture and allied apps for enhancing production and income of tribal farmers”. The participants were explained, how Smartphone apps in agriculture help farmers to increase productivity. During this training demonstrated app on coconut farming practices for increasing yields, Banana production management, pest management, pig farming, pig ration and pig summer stress. Seeds of Tomato, Okra, Chilli, French bean and Palak were distributed to 70 tribal farmers for cultivating under backyard. |
|||
| Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan |
|||
| Exposure-cum-Training programme for SC farmers of Tamil Nadu with TANHODA |
|||
| An Exposure-cum-Training Programme on “Empowering Scheduled Caste Farmers of Tamil Nadu, the Coastal State of Mainland India through Agricultural Technology Intervention for Nutritional and Livelihood Security” was organized in collaboration with Department of Horticulture & Plantation Crops and Tamil Nadu Horticulture Development Agency (TANHODA), Government of Tamil Nadu from 11thto 19thMarch 2020. It is a first of its kind programme, wherein 18 farmers representing 18 districts of Tamil Nadu along with a Nodal Officer were given intensive technological exposition on Horticulture-NRM-Fisheries-Crops viz. modified ridge and furrow system for marigold, production technology for Dragon Fruit and Gerbera, alternative propagule for flowering plants, pot Anthurium, Red Ginger cultivation, nutritious kitchen gardening, air layering and harvesting technique in cinnamon and bay leaf, Andaman Kokum as a novel fruit crop for commercialization, grafting techniques in dioecious fruits and Noni as an avocation in marginal lands under Horticulture; vermicomposting from plantation wastes, lined pond for rainwater harvesting and Water Resource Development Plan under Natural Resource Management; carp grower feed production technology, captive breeding of marine ornamental fishes, value addition in fish under Fisheries Science; and improved seed production of rice, pulses, brinjal and salinity micro-plots for paddy under Field Crop Improvement & Protection. |
|||
| Besides, the trainees were taken for a biodiversity transect through the rain forests up to Middle Andaman to enlighten about the forest fabric of the Islands, prospects of mangroves as a bio-shield against coastal disasters, the geomorphological features of limestone caves, mud volcanoes and the role of World Coconut Germplasm Centre in conserving coconut biodiversity. They also visited Shaheed Dweep, the declared organic Island to know about the intricacies of organic farming in the Islands. On-farm interaction with selective progressive farmers of South Andaman practicing oyster mushroom, Integrated Farming System, floriculture, betel vine cultivation, poultry hatchery and organic farming under the technical guidance of the Institute paved a platform to share the mutual farming experience and future trade linkages. Planting materials and critical inputs were given to take forward the Institute’s technologies in Mainland. |
|||
| A compendium entitled “Technological Exposition in Horticulture-NRM-Fisheries-Crops for Empowerment of Scheduled Caste Farmers of Tamil Nadu, the Coastal State of Mainland India for Nutritional and Livelihood Security” a pictorial documentation of the training programme was brought out, which will go a long way in guiding the trainee farmers of Mainland to pursue the learnt technologies of Island ecosystem in their own set up and to cherish the memories of the Islands forever. It will also act as a ready reckoner of the Institute’s R&D activities and technologies for the benefit of the Island farmers, extension personnel and the policy makers of Andaman & Nicobar Administration. |
|||
| Flagship Programme |
|||
| I. Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav |
|||
| Team 1 comprising Dr. K. Abirami, Dr. Praveen Raj and Dr. Sirisha Adamala made three visits to Mannarghat and Malapuram. Technical guidance was provided on fish rearing to farmers who have constructed new ponds in their farms. Among them, Shri Rafiq has integrated fruits, vegetables and tuber crops in coconut and arecanut plantation. Vegetables fetched good yield and it was a main source of income for the farmer during the lock down period. The team advised him to take up planting of various spice crops under arecanut plantation. The water table in his field was good so natural water ponds were created for fresh water fish farming. Subsequently, he visited the Institute for detailed technical guidance on fish farming. |
|||
| Team 2 comprising Dr. S.K. Zamir Ahmed, Dr. K. Saravanan, Dr. R. Jaya Kumaravaradan and Dr. V. Damodaran visited the farms of Shri. D.N. Madhu and Shri M.M. Joydar at Chouldari; Shri Ashok Roy and Shri Sameer of Gopal Nagar on 19.04.2021 for providing diagnostic services for vegetable and tuber crops, plantation crops and fish farming following COVID-19 protocals. During the visit, farmers were informed of the Radio and Doordarshan programmes undertaken by CIARI and requested to watch them periodically to get farm advisories during lockdown period. Further, they were provided with HYV of vegetables for demonstration. |
|||
| Team 4 comprising Dr. V. Baskaran, Shri D. Karunakaran, Dr. Rafeeque Rahman Alyethodi, Smt. Sreepriya Prakasan and Smt. Archana Sharma visited the fields at Collinpur on 17.04.2021 and provided agro-advisories to farmers on effective utilization of interspaces in plantation crops by scientific planting of vegetables with proper spacing. |
|||
| Team 5 comprising Dr. Debasis Bhattacharya, Dr. P.A. Bala, Dr. Ajit A. Waman and Dr. T. Subramani visited two farmers’ field in Dundas Point and distributed saplings of lemon grass (20 nos.) and Burmese coriander (260 nos.). Farmers were also guided about CIARI-ProDhaniya Multi technique for cultivation of culantro and spices in their farms. |
|||
| An awareness programme on Scientific Backyard Farming was conducted at Wimberlygunj on 20.11.2021 in collaboration with AICRP on Palms and AICRP on Pig with 23 participants (14 male, 9 female). |
|||
| Team 9 comprising Dr. T.P. Swarnam, Dr. Pooja Bohra, Mr. K. Muniswamy and Mr. Benny Varghese conducted an awareness programme for female SHG members of Ferrargunj in collaboration with SURABI, Caddlegunj on November 25, 2021. During the programme, Dr. Pooja Bohra elaborated about the diversity of underutilized fruits of the islands, their nutritional benefits and scope for value addition. During the interaction, participants were explained about the production techniques of underutilized fruits such as blood fruit, Andaman Kokum, Andaman Kauphal, West Indian cherry, passion fruit, bilimbi, breadnut etc. Interested participants purchased the planting material as well. One farmer from Ferrargunj was guided on cultivation of fruit crops and planting material of six species was provided for establishment in backyard garden. |
|||
| Women farmers from Miletilak and Aniket were given awareness on “Integrated Farming System for Doubling Farmer’s Income” in which Dr. T.P. Swarnam briefed the benefits of crop and enterprise diversification to get maximum benefit from a single piece of land. Crop residue recycling through composting and value addition was demonstrated. Vegetable samples were collected from the farmers to periodically analyse the pesticide residues and farmers were given the advice on safe use of agrochemicals in crop production. |
|||
| II. Webinar Series under Bharat ka Amrit Mahotsav –India@75 |
|||
| With effect from 17.04.21, webinars are delivered by the Scientists of CIARI and external experts on the topics pertaining to agricultural, horticultural, fisheries, animal husbandry, natural resource management, transfer of technology, government programmes etc. fostering farmers’ income. A total of 18 webinars have been conducted, wherein 682 clients participated in virtual mode. |
|||
| III . Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate |
|||
| Under the week long programme Vigyan Sarvatra Pujvate organized by the Zoological Survey of India, Port Blair, an exposure visit was conducted on 25/2/2022 wherein the 43 students from Colleges & Schools along with Teachers were exposed to the different technological Interventions of CIARI viz. Microplots with pulses, Horticulture crops propagation unit, Dragon Fruit block, Fisheries Museum. |
|||
| HRD Programme |
|||
| Conducted a 5-day hands-on training to 22 Skilled Supporting Staff on “Computer Literacy” from 17th -21st January 2022 imparting skill on basic computer fundamentals, Microsoft Word, Excel, e-office, ERP, Market exposure, data collection techniques, compilation and post-evaluation. |
|||
| Virtual All India Tour under COVID-19 Scenario |
|||
| Coordinated the virtual All India Tour for 120 final year B.Sc.(Ag) students of PAJANCOA&RI, Karaikal on 21.02.2022 to enlightened the students on the agricultural scenario and R&D activities of Island agriculture under the aegies of ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair. |
|||
| Dweep Sale Counter of ICAR-CIARI |
|||
| Conducted a study to assess the performance of CIARI Sale Counter that was opened on 14.10.2021. Sale Counter has generated a revenue of Rs.6,10,246 in 3 months wherein Sippighat farm contributed 56% followed by ASD (20%), NRM (11%), H&F (7%), FSD (4%) and FCIP (2%). Planting material contributed 47% of revenue followed by farm produce (42%) and technology (11%). The quantum of Farm Section’s revenue increased 10 times when compared to the corresponding period last year. During the 3 months, 877 purchases happened wherein SSS made maximum number of purchases (25%) followed by public / farmers (21%), Technical staff (16%), Scientist (15%) and Contractual staff (14%). Hence, the contribution of technology need to be increased, frequent / wide publicity should be given about the Sale Counter, and the work space of the Sale Counter should be expanded with required furnishings.. |
|||
Radio talk live recording at Choupal as studio 
Database on Radio Talk as ready reckoner 
Awareness and sensitization programmme for Nicobaris 
Nicobari trainees practicing the usage of foldscope 
CIARI team along with AAJVS representatives at Onge settlement 
An Onge displaying the harvested vegetable from the demonstration plot 
CIARI’s stall at Regional Kisan Mela, Minicoy 
Administrator, Lakshadweep interacting with the Scientist, CIARI 
Visitors of National Banana Exhibition relishing the traditional banana recipes of Nicobari tribes 
Nicobari trainees with vegetable seed kits 
Dy. Collector hands over coconut climbing device to ST farmer 
Face to face interaction with expert and Nicobar farmers 
Trainee farmers with organizing committee 
Bulletin published on the programme 
Scientists’ visit to the plantation based IFS of Shri Rafiq at Mannarghat 
Scientists’ visit to the plantation based IFS of Shri Rafiq at Mannarghat 
Scientists providing diagnostic services on vegetables, tubers and plantation crops at Chouldari and Creekabad 
Scientists providing diagnostic services on vegetables, tubers and plantation crops at Chouldari and Creekabad 
Scientists providing diagnostic services on scientific vegetables cultivation in the interspaces of plantation crops at Collinpur 
Scientists providing diagnostic services on scientific vegetables cultivation in the interspaces of plantation crops at Collinpur 
Awareness programme on Scientific Backyard Farming at Wimberlygunj 
SHG members of Ferrargunj getting awareness about underutilized fruit crops
Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate 
Skilled Supporting Staff undergoing training on e-office 
Skilled Supporting Staff collecting data on Dweep Sale Counter |
|||