Port Blair, June 23: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, celebrated its 46th Foundation Day on June 23, 2023, with great pomp and ceremony. Ms. Nandini Paliwal, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, A&N Administration, was the Chief Guest. Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Officer in Charge, ZSI, Port Blair, and Mrs. Archana Singh, General Manager, NABARD, Port Blair, was present as guest of honor. Dr T.V.R.S. Sharma, ex-PS, CIARI, and ex-GB member ICAR, delivered the Foundation Day lecture on “My experience at CIARI and its development for the benefit of the Andaman and Nicobar Farming Community”.
The Chief Guest, Ms. Nandini Paliwal, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, A&N Admn, appreciated and congratulated all the awardees, especially the farmers and entrepreneurs. She further expressed that the island is having the typical problem of up-scaling agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and other allied sectors on a large scale, which may be due to limited resources and the non-availability of proper backward and forward linkages. There is a need to have proper synergy between the triangle comprising knowledge, policy, and marketing to carry forward agricultural and allied technologies for sustainable remuneration. She suggested organizing an International Symposium to assemble the scientific fraternity of different Island Nations to debate on various pros and cons, exchange of ideas, and technology and policy frameworks. At the Mela Ground, she inaugurated the agriculture drone used for effective crop management and also planted the coconut sapling in the presence of other dignitaries and staff of CIARI.
The Guest of Honor, Mrs. Archana Singh, General Manager, NABARD, Port Blair, expressed her desire to have many more collaborative programmers with the proactive scientific team of CIARI, benefiting the farmers from far-flung islands. Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Officer in Charge, ZSI, Port Blair, called upon the August gathering to visit CIARI, which is a good scientific institute for seeking knowledge on biodiversity with special reference to bird watching. Dr Eaknath B Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, in his presidential address, briefed about the various achievements of the institute during one year and expressed that many high-rated papers were published and technologies commercialized, besides two varieties of coconut released at the national level, three animal genetic resources registered. He also appreciated the achievements made by the staff of the institute in reaching new heights in service and the women’s contingents in sports for bringing laurels to the Institute. Challenges such as effective fund utilization, mitigating water scarcity on campus, and aiming towards reducing energy use were also put forth. Dr TV.R.S. Sharma, Ex PS, CIARI and Ex GB member ICAR delivered a foundation day lecture on online mode wherein he shared his experience of working in CIARI. He threw light on the conservation of native species of plants and underutilized fruits, popularized IFS, and also suggested conducting an International workshop involving nearby island researchers and policymakers.
The Chief Guest and the other delegates honored the awardees in the categories of scientist, administration, technical, Skilled supporting, and contractual workers during the occasion. The function was attended by officers of the Development Department, the Central Government, progressive farmers, the scientific community from CIARI and RS Minicoy and Staff, KVK personnel, and the media. At the outset, Dr Jai Sunder, Principal Scientist, Incharge PME, ICAR-CIARI, welcomed the gathering, and Dr. P.K. Singh, Principal Scientist, expressed the vote of thanks. Dr. Sirisha Adamala, scientist, coordinated the programme.
