Under the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas 2025, ICAR- Central Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram
along with its KVK Car Nicobar; and Regional Station at Minicoy, Lakshadweep conducted a
high-level meeting was held at the Tribal Office with the Chief Tribal Chairman and Vice
Chairman at Car Nicobar and discussed the possible ways to set up the Seed Banks to
preserve indigenous crop varieties particularly Dioscorea alata, Colocasia esculenta and
Pandanus leram. Further, emphasised to set up of indigenous Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO)
production unit, expand the area of Coconut-based Integrated Farming System (IFS) model
and tuber crops based integrated farming systems for livelihood and income security to the
tribal farmers and also to preserve the indigenous crop varieties. After the meeting the village
level participatory discussion was also conducted at Tamaloo village, of Car Nicobar Islands,
a total of 14 farmers, including 4 women, actively participated in the programme. The event
aimed to enhance awareness among the tribal farmers about the importance to setup the seed
banks to preserve the indigenous crops available in the region.