The inaugural programme of the NABARD-sponsored project titled "Boosting Livelihoods
and Ensuring Nutritional Security through Horticulture Development in Nicobar" was
successfully organized by ICAR–CIARI-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Nicobar on 21 July
2026 at the field of Mrs. Esther, Big Lapathy Village, Car Nicobar. The programme marked
the formal launch of project activities aimed at strengthening horticulture-based livelihoods
and promoting nutritional security among the farming community of Nicobar. The
programme was graced by Shri Amit Kale, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar District, as
the Chief Guest; Shri K. Vijayapandian, General Manager, NABARD, Sri Vijaya Puram, as
the Special Guest; and Shri Lionald Nicomed, Chief Captain (CTC), Car Nicobar, as the
Guest of Honour. The event was also attended by Shri Rakesh B. Pangat, Deputy General
Manager (DGM), NABARD; village captains; scientists and staff of ICAR–Krishi Vigyan
Kendra (KVK), Nicobar; beneficiary farmers; and other invited dignitaries. The Chief Guest
and other dignitaries inaugurated the project infrastructure developed under the programme,
including: Polyhouse, Water Harvesting Structure (Jalkund), and Field visit to the
demonstration farm of Mrs. Esther. The dignitaries appreciated the efforts of ICAR-KVK
Nicobar and NABARD in promoting sustainable horticultural practices in the tribal areas of
Nicobar District.
Dr. Santosh Kumar, Senior Scientist & Head, ICAR–KVK Nicobar, formally welcomed all
the guests and beneficiary farmers. He presented an overview of the NABARD-sponsored
project, highlighting its key objectives of promoting horticulture-based livelihood
opportunities, enhancing nutritional security among tribal households, introducing improved
cultivation technologies, developing climate-resilient farming systems, strengthening farmers'
capacities through demonstrations and training programmes, and developing micro-irrigation
systems in farmers' fields to ensure efficient water use and enhance resilience against El
Niño-induced dry spells and water scarcity. He emphasized that the project would play a
significant role in improving farmers' income, promoting sustainable agricultural
development, and enhancing the socio-economic well-being of the tribal communities in the
Nicobar Islands. Shri Vijayapandian appreciated the collaborative efforts of NABARD and
ICAR–KVK Nicobar in implementing development-oriented projects for the tribal
communities of Nicobar. He encouraged farmers to actively participate in the project
activities and adopt improved horticultural technologies for long-term economic benefits.
Shri Lionald Nicomed, Chief Captain (CTC), Car Nicobar, addressed the gathering and
appreciated the efforts of NABARD and ICAR–KVK Nicobar for launching a project aimed
at strengthening horticulture-based livelihoods and improving nutritional security in the
Nicobar Islands.
Shri Amit Kale, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar District, and Shri Lionald Nicomed,
Chief Captain (CTC), Car Nicobar, distributed horticultural inputs and project materials to
the selected beneficiaries, marking the formal launch of field-level implementation of the
NABARD-sponsored project. In his address, Shri Amit Kale, IAS, congratulated NABARD
and ICAR–KVK Nicobar for initiating the project and appreciated the KVK's efforts in
promoting need-based agricultural interventions for the tribal farming community. He
emphasized expanding the project's outreach to benefit more farmers, maintaining systematic
documentation of project activities and success stories, and promoting the scientific production and value addition of cocopeat in Nicobar to create sustainable livelihood
opportunities. Addressing the gathering, Shri K. Vijayapandian, General Manager,
NABARD, Sri Vijaya Puram, highlighted the strategic importance and practical utility of the
project in Car Nicobar. He emphasized that the project is location-specific, designed to
directly address the island's unique agro-climatic challenges, and structured for easy
replication across other tribal villages in the district. He noted that localized models like
protected cultivation structures and water harvesting units serve as practical, scalable
solutions that tribal farming households can easily adopt. Shri Vijayapandian appreciated the
collaborative efforts of NABARD and ICAR–KVK Nicobar in implementing development-
oriented projects for the tribal communities of Nicobar, encouraging farmers to actively
participate in the project activities and adopt improved horticultural technologies for long-
term economic self-reliance. The inaugural programme was successfully organized by
ICAR–Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Nicobar, under the overall guidance of Dr. Jai Sunder,
Director, ICAR–Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR–CIARI), Sri Vijaya
Puram, whose leadership and guidance were instrumental in the successful planning and
execution of the NABARD-sponsored project.