Port Blair, Mar 26: A two days’ training cum-awareness programme on “Scientific rice cultivation in the Nicobar Islands” was organised in two Gram Panchayats viz. Govind Nagar and Gandhi Nagar in Great Nicobar during 17-18 March, 2015 for the welfare of the Island farmers’. The program was conducted under overall guidance of Dr. S. Dam Roy, Director, ICAR-CIARI under Tribal Sub Plan. Dr R.K.Gautam, Head, Division of Field Crop Improvement and Protection, ICAR-CIARI was the Chief Guest of the Programme.
Mrs. Roshila Kullu, Gram Pradhan, Goind Nagar, Mr.Pahlad Singh, Up-Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Gandhi Nagar and Shri Anoth Ram, Assistant Director (Agriculture), Campbell Bay were also present on this occasion. A total of 135 farmers participated in this programme. Dr. Gautam advocated the adoption of high yielding and salt tolerant varieties of rice recommended by CIARI for increasing rice productivity in these Islands.
However, Dr P.K. Singh, Senior Scientist and Course Director sensitized about scientific cultivation methods of rice. A total of 5 quintal seed of two salt tolerant rice varieties (CARI Dhan 4 and CSR 36) was distributed among the farmers. In addition, 1.5 kg seed of bacterial wilt resistant brinjal variety CARI Brinjal 1 and 100 eco-friendly insect traps with lure were also given to the farmers. Similarly, 7 quintal seed of high yielding rice varieties, 1.5 kg of CARI Brinjal 1 and 100 insect traps were also given to 100 farmers in Little Andaman.
