ICAR KVK CIARI, Nicobar organized a one-day capacity-building program on 16th May, 2024 under TSP to boost the production of horticulture crops in Car Nicobar in collaboration with ICAR-IIHR at Big Lapathy village. Mr. Manuh Thomas, Captain, Big Lapathy village was the chief guest. The resource person was Dr. R. Senthil Kumar, Principal Scientist, ICAR-IIHR, Bangalore. Dr. Santosh Kumar, Senior Scientist and Head of ICAR-KVK, Car Nicobar coordinated the programme. A total of 33 farmers (21 female and 12 male), including all four captains of the village, attended the program. Mr. Patrick, a progressive farmer from Tapoiming village, was felicitated for his remarkable achievements, and Mrs. Laieesa was also honored for her accomplishments.
Dr. R. Senthil Kumar highlighted the important varieties and technologies of IIHR Bangalore, advised farmers to grow velvet beans beneath their coconut plantations to improve soil fertility and boost coconut productivity by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and suppressing weeds.Dr. Santosh Kumar emphasized the necessity for value addition and processing in areas such as coconut jaggery and virgin coconut oil production, which has the potential to improve both income and employment generation.
IIHR vegetable seed kits were also distributed. The trainees' feedback was documented, and a few female farmers conveyed their need for technologies and seeds pertaining to ornamental and floral crops.The program was organized under the guidance of Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.