A scientist of ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Garacharma visited Chota Enaka, Kakana, Pilpillow of Kamorta Islands and Chowra Islands villages of Nancowrie between 28th to 31st January 2024 and conducted capacity building programmes for Nicobari tribal farmers on “Improved Organic farming Practices for Island based Cropping System”. During the programme, Dr. I. Jaisankar, Senior Scientist (Ago forestry) explained about the use of multipurpose tree species for efficient resource utilization, conservation of endemic plant biodiversity to mitigate the impact of climate change, scientific tuber crops cultivation, tuber crops based farming system, CIARI technologies and organic waste management. Mr. Mahammed Haneefa, incharge Agriculture Department, Kamorta explained about the package of practices of potential vegetable crops for a nutritious kitchen garden, its nursery management and various schemes implemented by Department of Agriculture under the STC programme and AICRP on Tuber crops.
In total, 211 farmers from 4 villages participated in this series of awareness cum training programme. All were given farm implements, CIARI Dweep Micro, Sweet potato sprouted cuttings, Greater Yam seed materials and vegetable seed kits.The whole programme was conducted under the guidance of Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, CIARI.