Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 02: A Field Day programme on “Enhancement of Productivity and Production of Paddy through Demonstration of High-Yielding Rice Varieties” was organized at Bloomsdale Research Farm, Chouldari, by the ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI), Sri Vijaya Puram, on 02 September 2026, in collaboration with ICAR-KVK, South Andaman. The programme was organized under the overall guidance of Dr. Jai Sunder, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram.
At the outset, Mr. K. Shyam Sundar Rao, Farm Manager, welcomed the participating farmers from North and Middle Andaman and other dignitaries. He presented an overview of the research and farm management activities being undertaken at Bloomsdale Research Farm for the benefit of farmers and other stakeholders in the Islands.
Dr. P. K. Singh, Head (I/c) and Principal Scientist, FCIP Section, demonstrated the performance of various ICAR-CIARI high-yielding rice varieties in the field and showcased the improved varieties and advanced production technologies developed by the Institute. He also interacted with the farmers and discussed various agricultural issues and challenges faced by them.
Dr. Y. Ramakrishna, Principal Scientist, and Head ICAR-KVK, South Andaman demonstrated the natural farming-based rice field and highlighted the importance of natural farming practices in promoting sustainable, environmentally friendly, and climate-resilient agriculture.
Dr. Prabhu P., Scientist, interacted with the participating farmers and appealed to them to adopt the improved rice varieties and advanced agricultural technologies developed by ICAR-CIARI. He emphasized that the adoption of suitable improved technologies could significantly enhance crop productivity and production, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and promote sustainable agriculture in the Islands.
A total of 43 farmers, including 32 women and 11 men, from North and Middle Andaman participated in the programme and benefited from the technical deliberations, farmer–scientist interactions, and field demonstrations. Officials from the Directorate of Agriculture, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, also participated in the programme.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Bikash Chandra Mondal, Technical.
