“Regional Station, ICAR- CIARI, conducts Sensitization on GMP in Coconuts, at Minicoy, Lakshadweep”

Regional Station Minicoy of ICAR-CIARI Port Blair conducted a “Sensitization programme on GMP in Coconuts and also Input Distribution under Schedule Tribe Component (STC)” at its farm and different cluster of villages from 22nd to 25th March.

Speaking on the inaugural occasion, the Chief Guest Dr Shrikant R. Tapdiya, the Deputy Collector of Minicoy expressed his happiness on the technological intervention in coconut plantation, exhibiting practical demonstration of clean plantation, crown cleaning, coconut climbing using device and vermicompost application. He himself practiced the skill involved in coconut climbing using climber and exhorted that “ if I can do, I expect the farmers too can put into practice”. At the end he distributed the inputs to farmers, which was attended by the officials of Department of Agriculture Shri. KunhiKoya and farmers from different cluster of villages. The Nodal Officer Dr. S. K. Zamir Ahmed and the scientific team comprising of Dr. A. K. O. Ratheesh, Dr. Gladston Y. and Dr. Ajina S. M. interacted with the farmers and impressed upon the benefits of good management practices (GMP) in coconuts. Shri. Shareefuddeen Hassan, Technical Assistant and the Coordinator of the programmeinformed about the technical know-how and do how to the participants in ‘Mahl’ (the local language).

The scientific team visited Bada, Aoumagu, Boduathiri, New Boduathiri, Rammedu, Sadivalu, Aloodi, Funhilol, Kudehi, Fallessery and Kendiparty villages and progressive farmers in South Pandaram to sensitize on GMP and handed over two each coconut climbers to every village house to be put to use by the respective villagers. Beside a total of 1000 Lakshadweep Ordinary seedlings, 100 bags of vermicompost (10 Kg each) and 25 coconut climbing devices were also distributed. A total of 105 farmers of which 68 were women got benefitted.

Dr. A. K. O. Ratheesh, Convener and Co-Convenors Dr. Gladston Y., Dr. Ajina S. M. Dr. S. K. Zamir Ahmed and the Coordinator ShriShareefuddeen Hassancoordinated the overall conduct of programme under the Chairmanship of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.