ICAR-CIARI Regional Station, Minicoy, organised a series of programmes from 27–30 August 2026 focusing on agricultural development, technology dissemination, natural farming, input support, food entrepreneurship and livelihood security.
On 27 August, a stakeholder interaction meeting was organised with Mopans (village leaders) representing all 11 villages of Minicoy, along with officials from the Forestry, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Departments and the Assistant Manager, SBI, Minicoy Branch. The meeting focused on identifying community needs, suitable interventions, departmental convergence and financial support for agricultural and livelihood activities. Dr. I. Jaisankar, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer, briefed the participants on ICAR-CIARI activities and opportunities under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP).
A Solar Tunnel Dryer was inaugurated by Dr. Saneera E.K., Scientist-in-Charge, who explained its working, operation and applications in drying, preservation and value addition of locally available products, including copra and masmin.
From 28–30 August, a three-day TSP training, input distribution and technology demonstration programme on “Natural Farming under IFS for Improving Production and Livelihood Security” was conducted at the village houses of Sedivalu, Aoumagu and Funhilol. The programme was inaugurated at Sedivalu by Sri M. Mukesh Kumar Daka, DANICS, Deputy Collector, Minicoy, in the presence of local Mopans and ICAR-CIARI officials. The programme included distribution of hybrid seeds of nine vegetable crops and demonstration of the DWEEP Leaf Separator, a patented hand-held tool developed by ICAR-CIARI, by Dr. I. Jaisankar and Mr. Arif M.I., Senior Technician. Dr. Jaisankar also explained natural farming practices suitable for the island ecosystem. A lecture on “Micro Food Business Opportunities and PMFME Scheme – Government Support for Food Entrepreneurs in Lakshadweep” was delivered by Mr. Shabeer Ahammed K.K., Zonal Agri Business Head, Federal Bank Ltd., Calicut, highlighting opportunities in food processing, value addition and institutional/financial support under the PMFME Scheme.
Dr. Saneera E.K. delivered a lecture on “Kitchen Gardening and Organic Pest and Disease Management”, while Dr. I. Jaisankar and Mr. Shareefuddeen Hassan, Technical Assistant, conducted a practical demonstration on the preparation and use of Jeevamrutham as an organic input. Mr. Kanishk Bhukar, Administrative Officer, and Mr. Santhosh Kumar Sathapathy, Finance and Accounts Officer, also participated in the programme. Similar training, input distribution and technology demonstrations were conducted at Aoumagu on 29 August and Funhilol on 30 August, covering participants from all 11 villages—Sedivalu, New Boduthiri, Aoumagu, Aloodi, Bada, Pallissery, Kudehi, Kendiparty, Rammedu, Boduthiri and Funhilol. A total of 176 tribal people benefited from the programme. The activities strengthened convergence among the tribal community, ICAR-CIARI, line departments and financial institutions and promoted natural farming, kitchen gardening, organic input use, technology adoption, value addition, food entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood opportunities in Minicoy.
The programme was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Jaisunder, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram