A training programme was conducted on Organic Farming Practices for Livelihood improvement of Island Tribal farmers” of the farmers under the ICAR- Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, STC in collaboration with ICAR KVK, Car Nicobar and Department of Agriculture, Campbell Bay on 17 to 19 August 2025.
During the programme, Dr. I. Jaisankar, Senior Scientist (Ago forestry) explained about the advantages and scope of Integrated farming system, incorporation of various components to improve the farm income. He also elaborated on the Organic Farming System developed by the institute and presented outcomes from experimental trials involving different combinations of vegetables, tubers, spices, fodder, and fruit crops, as well as the integration of goat, pig, poultry, and fish farming. Further, he explained the regenerative agricultural practices and the significance of vegetable cultivation for nutritional security, organic waste management and integrated pest and disease management in the system. Smt. Shakila Nawaz, ADA, Department of Agriculture, Campbell Bay, provided valuable insights into the impact of pesticide use on agriculture and horticultural crops grown in the Islands. She highlighted the significance of organic farming and advocated for an integrated farming approach to enhance sustainability in the islands. She also explained the schemes implemented by the Department of Agriculture for the benefit of the tribal farmers in the Islands.
During the training programme the scientist demonstrated the Dweep Leaf Separator for using the tool to remove the mid rib from the coconut leaves. All the farmers were interestingly practiced to remove the mid rib from the coconut leaves. Finally scientist and agriculture department officials engaged with farmers, providing guidance and addressing their queries and facilitating the integration organic farming systems to enhance productivity and sustainability. In total, 152 farmers from Great and Little Nicobar Islands participated in this training programme. Inputs viz., Dweep leaf separator, Dweep micro, vegetable seeds, grow bags, vermicompost bags and small agricultural implements were distributed. The training and input distribution programme was coordinated by Dr. Abhilash, Dr. Santhosh from ICAR-CIARI, Smt. Shakila Nawaz, ADA, Department of Agriculture, Campbell Bay and Shri, Barnabas Manju, Chairman of the Little and Great Nicobar Tribal Council. The whole programme was conducted under the guidance of Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram.