Port Blair, Mar 21: ICAR-CIARI, Kisan Mela on the theme: Agripreneurship Development in Islands got inaugurated today at its Mela ground on 20th March 2024. Around 500 farmers representing different gram panchayats of South, Middle & North Andaman & Nicobar districts participated.
Speaking during the inaugural occasion the Chief Guest Dr. Mani Chellapan, Dean College of Agriculture (KAU), Thrissur, Kerala lauded the efforts of ICAR-CIARI in technology development and transfer in the field of Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock and Fisheries for furthering the cause of Agriculture in the Islands. He exhorted each and every one present on the day to give importance to value addition to Island produce which is the key to success and maximize the farmer’s income. Further he concluded his speech by requesting everyone to give utmost care in importing vegetables and fruits from main lands in order to prevent the new entry of pests and diseases.
Guest of honour Dr. Lal Singh, Head Botanical Survey of India, ANRC, Port Blair stressed on importance of women in agriculture and touched upon unique Andaman and Nicobar flora diversity and its importance for conservation.
Dr. E. B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI in his Presidential address expressed his happiness on the successful conduct of the Kisan Mela. He appreciated the farmer’s participation in large numbers which speaks about the credibility of the technology transfer programme of the Institute. Further, he requested all the Scientists to have a two-way interaction with the farmers to infuse new ideas for research and vice versa.
Padma Shri Mrs. Kamachi Chellammal,67-year-old woman farmer from Andaman and Nicobar recently selected for Padma Shri award for her outstanding contribution to the organic coconut plantation expressed her gratitude towards ICAR-CIARI and KVK for all the technology support extended which facilitated her to achieve recognition at National level.
The highlight of the program was demonstrations of agricultural and allied technologies along with sale of agri inputs like planting material and natural plant protectants in a total of twenty stalls representing three KVKs, Division of Horticulture, Animal science, Natural Resources, Fisheries, Development departments, SHGs and private dealers. In the afternoon quiz programme was conducted by a scientific team which was participated by many farmers.
The expert of the Workshop on Sustainable Plant Protection Strategies Viz. Dr. N. K. Krishna Kumar former Chairperson Bioversity International, New Delhi also visited the stall in the evening and interacted with farmers and Scientists at mela ground along with the organizing team.