As part of the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan 2026 and the observance of World
Environment Day 2026, ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI),
Sri Vijaya Puram, in collaboration with its Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), the Department
of Agriculture, UT-ATMA, and the Forest Department, organized a series of awareness
programmes and plantation drives across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands on 5 June 2026 to
promote environmental conservation, soil health management, and sustainable agricultural
practices.
In South Andaman district, ICAR-CIARI, ICAR-KVK South Andaman, and the Department
of Agriculture, UT-ATMA jointly organized awareness programmes at Beodnabad and
Chouldari villages. At Beodnabad, the programme was attended by Shri S. Boominathan,
Zilla Parishad Member; Smti. Pachiammal, Panchayat Samiti Member; and Shri Deepu G.
Unnithan, Deputy Ranger. The programme was led by Dr. Y. Ramakrishna, Principal
Scientist & Head, ICAR-KVK South Andaman; Dr. Raj Narayan, Principal Scientist & Head;
Dr. P. Prabhu, Scientist; and Dr. Arkadeb Mukhopadhyay, along with officials from the
Department of Agriculture and UT-ATMA.
Simultaneously, an awareness programme was conducted at Chouldari village with the
participation of 24 farmers. The programme was coordinated by Dr. P. K. Singh, Principal
Scientist & Head; Dr. Chittaranjan Ruel, Scientist; and Dr. Sharath S. Y., Scientist, ICAR-
CIARI, along with Dr. Zachariah George, Subject Matter Specialist, ICAR-KVK South
Andaman. Officials from the Department of Agriculture, including Smti. Shahana Begum,
Smti. Sunita Bairagi, and Smti. Sunitha Kumari, also participated.
Meanwhile, ICAR-KVK North & Middle Andaman, in association with UT-ATMA, the
Department of Agriculture, and the Forest Department, organized a plantation drive at KVK,
Nimbudera, and an awareness programme for members of the Diya Self Help Group at
Billiground under Harinagar Panchayat. Saplings were planted on the KVK campus to
reinforce the message of environmental protection and ecological sustainability. A total of 15
participants attended the awareness programme.
During the programmes, scientists and experts emphasized the importance of balanced
fertilizer use, soil health conservation, Natural Farming, Integrated Nutrient Management
(INM), and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for sustainable crop production. Participants
were sensitized to the role of organic and natural farming in maintaining soil fertility,
improving crop productivity, and reducing dependence on chemical inputs. Farmers and SHG
members were encouraged to adopt eco-friendly agricultural practices, particularly in kitchen
gardens, for the production of safe and nutritious vegetables.
The experts also highlighted the benefits of recycling farm and household organic wastes
through vermicomposting. SHG members possessing cattle were motivated to utilize cattle
dung and locally available biomass for producing quality organic manure, thereby promoting
sustainable waste management and enhancing soil health.
The programmes concluded with interactive discussions between farmers, SHG members,
and scientists, providing participants an opportunity to seek scientific solutions to field-level
problems and gain practical knowledge on sustainable agriculture and environmental
conservation.