The ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, organized a State-Level Workshop cum Seminar on “Scope and Challenges of Natural Farming in A & N Islands” on 13.08.2024 at ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair. The Chief Guest, Mr. Keshav Chandra, IAS, Chief Secretary, A & N Administration, inaugurated the programme in the presence of Ms. Nandini Paliwal, IAS, Commissioner cum Secretary (Agriculture); Shri B.S. Jaglan, Secretary (Agriculture); Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI; Shri Ahishek Gulia, Director of Agriculture; and Padmashri Smti. K. Chellamal.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary highlighted the advantages and prospects of natural farming in the islands, emphasizing its potential to reduce the cost of cultivation while improving soil and human health. He lauded the efforts of ICAR-CIARI in providing regular training, demonstrations, and promoting the concept of natural farming among the farming community in these islands. Ms. Nandini Paliwal suggested developing actionable points for the effective implementation and promotion of natural farming in the islands. Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar stressed the importance of nutritional security, which can be achieved by adopting natural farming practices without disturbing the natural ecosystem.
During the technical session, Dr. N. Ravishankar, Project Coordinator, AICRP-IFS, Modipuram, delivered a lecture on different practices of natural farming and its future scope. Padmashri Smti. K. Chellamal shared her experience with organic and natural farming. The lecture on natural farming inputs, preparations, and applications was delivered by Dr. Y. Ramakrishna, Head, KVK. Shri Ramesh Kumar, Joint Director, briefed about the Department of Agriculture’s interventions to promote natural farming in the islands. Dr. C.P. Chandrashekara, Sr. Scientist, UAS, Dharwad, shared his experience with natural farming, and Dr. T. Subramani, Head (Act), NRM, ICAR-CIARI, discussed natural farming challenges and the way forward. Finally, the impact of natural farming inputs was shared by progressive farmer Shri Ashim Baidya. A total of 120 farmers and department officials participated in the workshop on natural farming.