Field day on Organic Integrated Farming System organized by ICAR- CIARI

Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 31: The ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram, organized a field day on “Organic Integrated Farming System” in collaboration with KVK, Port Blair, at its Garacharma experimental farm on 31.01.2025. A total of 20 farmers attended the programme. The event aimed to raise awareness about the integrated farming system and sensitize farmers to the potential benefits of tree, crop, and animal combinations for enhancing farm productivity.
Dr. T. Subramani, Senior Scientist & Head of the NRM Division, explained various agronomic practices for improving vegetable yields. He emphasized the importance of organic cultivation practices and diversifying the island farming system by integrating multiple vegetables, spices, and fruits with animal and fish components to increase farm income and generate employment for farmers. Dr. Y. Ramakrishna, Head of KVK, South Andaman, highlighted the scope of the organic integrated farming system in the islands and discussed the crop calendar. He urged farmers to utilize the available technologies from the Institute for integrated farming and organic cultivation of vegetables, tubers, spices, and fruits, along with poultry, goat, and fish rearing.
Dr. Abilash, Scientist, briefed the participants on the importance of weather-based farming practices and discussed rainfall trends and their influence on the integrated farming system. Dr. Talaviya Harshang Kumar, Scientist, provided deep insights into the impact of pesticide use in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries. He emphasized the significance of organic farming through an integrated approach in the islands. Dr. I. Jaisankar, Senior Scientist, explained the organic integrated farming system developed by the Institute and shared the outcomes of experiments involving various combinations of vegetables, tubers, spices, fodder, and fruit crops, along with the integration of goats, pigs, poultry, and fish. He elaborated on the management, yield, economics, and advantages of intermittent yields obtained from the system, as well as the cropping seasons. The programme was conducted under the guidance of Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram.