Port Blair, Mar 16: The valedictory function of the training was organized in the community hall of Ograbraj panchayat on 14th march,2015 at 3 pm. Shri Mohd Shafiq was the Chief guest and shri Rajendrer kumar Thanvi, DGM, NABARD and Dr D R Singh, Director, NRC, Orchid, ICAR, Sikkim was the guest of honor. Shri M A Salam, President, HORTISAN gave an account of activities under taken during these 14 days class room exercises followed by field practical sessions which empowered the participants to do tapping for extraction of hygienic neera for health drink and processing. During the experience sharing shri Varada rajan of Barma nallah coconut producer society and shri shamsuddin of Embee coconut producer society, Ograbraj explained their experience. They also highlighted the benefits and problems faced by them.
Dr D R Singh, Director NRC Orchid, Sikkim, guest of honor In his brief address highlighted the potential of horticulture in these Islands and major breakthrough in research and development of horticulture during his 14 year tenure as senior/ Principle scientist and Head of department of horticulture division in CARI/CIARI, port blair. He advised the farmers to strengthen the producer societies and producer company for productivity improvement, value addition and marketing since government of India is emphasizing to promote more and more farmer producer organizations to have more bargain power to get rid of the clutches of middle man. He assured to extend the technical support at national level and island level for furthering the efforts of HORTISAN, Coconut producer societies and expressed happiness for the establishment of Andaman pragati coconut producer Company( APCOP).
Shri Rajender kumar thanvi, DGM, NABARD, guest of honor in his address requested the farmers specially the Producer society members to bring more members under the various producer organizations and take advantage of these types of training programmes. The NABARD is always ready to help for cause of farmers and rural development. They will support if the viable proposals are brought to them. He expressed happiness for the efforts in the coconut neera sector which is a new concept as far as Andaman is concerned. He advised for branding the product like”Andaman neera” by this we can market it in the tourist locations of these Islands.
Shri Mohd Shafiq, Pramukh , Pnchayat samity, Ferrargunj addressed as chief guest and he expressed happiness for conducting such innovative programme in his samity area . We are hope full this effort will help coconut farmer to improve their economy and it will generate gain full employment to the un employed. He assured all support in this venture.
The chief guest and guest of honors, distributed 5 tapping kits consist of one liter capacity sprayer and one tapping knife to the members of CPS who performed well in the training. Shri C J Joseph, Director, APCOP welcomed the dignitaries and participants and Shri N M Bashir, Chairman CPS and Director APCOP proposed vote of thanks. At the end fresh Neera were served to taste by the dignitaries and participants.
