Port Blair, July 10: In a new development, a few members of Great Andamanese Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have sold copra to Andaman and Nicobar Coop Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd (ANCOFED) and got cheques.
Once largest tribal community of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Great Andamanese numbers nearly 60, out of which most them are settled in Strait Island of Middle Andaman.
Encouraged by government, the tribal members, who were once hunter gatherer, have now tried their luck in agriculture and sold copra to ANCOFED under Price Support Scheme of Government of India.
In a small function, the Chairman, A&N Coop Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd, Kuldeep Rai Sharma today handed over the cheques to six members of Great Andamanese viz Mr. Kishan Chand (Rs. 14,175/-) Mrs. Surmae (Rs. 8,610/-), Mr. Olake (Rs. 9,817/-), Mr. Tong (Rs. 3, 467/-), Mrs. Rea (Rs. 9,187/-) and Mrs. Leecho (Rs. 7, 245/-).
“It is a matter of great pleasure that members of Great Andamese Tribal Community now practice agriculture. They have also established some poultry besides selling Copra,” said the Chairman of ANCOFED , Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma while addressing a small gathering.
Sharma urged the Administration to encourage the tribal copra producers more so that they become financially sound in future.
He praised the tribal members for entering into business as their new venture to improve their standard of living.
During the programme, the Tribal copra growers have also placed their demand for copra dryer on which the ANCOFED Chairman assured to look into the matter.
The Directors Ravindar Rao, Anant Rao, K Subramaniyan and MK Srinivasan, General Manager, ANCOFED were also present on the occasion.
