ICAR-KVK CIARI Nicobar commenced a training session on "Empowering SHGs through Agricultural Income Generation Activities" at Tapoiming Village. The session was inaugurated by Shri. Kale Amit Marutirao, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Nicobar District. The event witnessed active participation from a large number of Self-Help Group (SHG) members, progressive farmers, and local community leaders, who engaged in discussions and activities aimed at enhancing agricultural practices and promoting income-generating initiatives for SHGs.
In the region, where most farmers are small and marginal, challenges such as selling products at fair prices and lacking bargaining power are prevalent. SHGs and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can play a pivotal role in addressing these issues by uniting farmers, providing better market access, and securing improved prices. Additionally, SHGs support collective supply, marketing, and securing loans, which can significantly improve farmers' incomes.
In his inaugural address, Shri. Kale Amit Marutirao stressed the crucial role of SHGs in the socioeconomic development of the Nicobar district. He highlighted the vast potential of agriculture, particularly coconut oil production, in generating sustainable income for local communities. The Deputy Commissioner shared his vision of elevating the branding and production of virgin coconut oil under the brand name "NicoShe" to national and international markets, recognizing the untapped potential in the region’s agricultural resources. With 88% of Nicobar’s land covered by coconut plantations and 70% of the region’s coconut production sourced from Nicobar, focusing on SHGs to promote coconut-based products can significantly enhance both production and market value.
Shri. Marutirao emphasized the pivotal role that SHGs could play in transforming the agricultural sector by collaborating to create efficient, value-added products. He encouraged participants to focus on improving production techniques, packaging, and marketing strategies to gain a competitive edge in the coconut oil industry. By enhancing product quality and branding, SHGs can not only increase local incomes but also create sustainable livelihoods for the community. Additionally, the respected Deputy Commissioner inaugurated the distribution of agricultural inputs to SHG members, further supporting their efforts to enhance agricultural productivity and income generation.
The training includes multiple sessions focused on various income-generating activities derived from agriculture, with a particular emphasis on coconut value addition and its potential in the Nicobar region. The aim was to enhance the income of SHG members through sustainable agricultural practices. The training was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram, and led by Dr. Santosh Kumar, Senior Scientist & Head, along with Subject Matter Specialists Dr. Ajmal S., Mr. Deepoo Meena, Dr. Akshay, and Mr. Sanketh G. D. Interaction sessions played a vital role in encouraging SHG members to share their experiences, ask questions, and gain motivation to apply the knowledge gained. These collaborative discussions fostered a sense of empowerment, equipping participants with the necessary tools to enhance their agricultural income and pursue entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector.