Port Blair, Aug 1: An Agri Store named ‘Vatika’, (Flavours of Andaman), has come up adjacent to Sagarika Emporium at Middle Point. The Lt. Governor, Lt Gen AK Singh (Retd.) inaugurated the store during a function held here this morning. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Anindo Majumdar, Secretary Agriculture, Smt. R. Maneka, GM NABARD, Shri Songadkar were also present on the occasion besides Ward Councillor, Officers of the Administration and progressive farmers from different parts of the Islands. The Lt. Governor along with other dignitaries lit the traditional oil lamp marking the inauguration of the store.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Lt. Governor, while complimenting the Secretary Industries and Secretary Agriculture for their endeavour in setting up the ‘Vatika’, said, this store will be a forum from where value added products of Govt. farms will be available. Mentioning that farmers should also be given participation in this store, the Lt. Governor said ‘Vatika’ should act as an agent through which farmers can sell their products in bulk. The Lt. Governor also stated that the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has launched several schemes for the welfare of the farmers and called for taking this benefits to the farmers in these Isles too. “Administration is striving towards working for the betterment of our farmers”, said the Lt. Governor. Appreciating the progressive farmers who have adopted modern techniques in farming, the Lt. Governor urged for taking up organic farming in the Islands in a big way for the betterment of our future generations. “The Agriculture Department will help farmers in taking up organic farming in the Islands. Organic farming has been implemented in Neil Island and it will be implemented in Diglipur followed by Hut Bay soon”, said the Lt. Governor. He also stated that the Administration should be able to create ‘Brand Andaman’ within a couple of years. As these Islands produce good honey, in order to make further progress in the production of honey here, the Departments of Industries and Agriculture are taking measures to provide adequate training to our farmers on production of honey, said the Lt. Governor also urging NABARD to join in this endeavour of the Administration.
The Lt. Governor also briefly spoke about various achievements of A&N Administration in sectors like Health, Education, Civil Aviation and Shipping in the last few years. “With the guidance of the Prime Minister and the Central Govt., the A&N Administration is fully determined to move forward”, he said. The Lt. Governor also informed about the upcoming Law College, Nursing College in the Islands, considering the future requirement of the Islands and the Islanders. He also informed about the setting up of Cancer Centre and Trauma Care Centre in (2016-17) and a Health Care Centre next year. The Lt. Governor also urged the Chief Secretary to ensure that citizens, including the rural people, are taken to see the Medical College of A&N Islands.
He also mentioned that as compared to the earlier 20, now about 200 youth of these Islands are being recruited in Indian Army annually and assured that our candidates will be provided with proper training to face such recruitment examinations.
Turning to Civil Aviation, the Lt. Governor mentioned that with night landing facilities in place, more Airlines are showing interest in providing services to A&N Islands. He also stated that a bigger aircraft of Air India will start operating in these Islands in place of the withdrawn smaller CRJ flight. In the meantime Indian Air Force Dornier Aircraft are being deployed in the Port Blair- Car Nicobar-Campbell Bay sector to ease the situation. The Lt. Governor also called upon one and all to work with positive attitude and synergy of efforts to ensure that developmental works are carried forward in these Islands and sought the support of the people of the Islands in taking up the welfare project ahead. The Lt. Governor also unveiled the plaque, cut the ribbon of the outlet and inspected it along with the others dignitaries on the occasion.
Ms. Chellamal, a lady farmer from Rangachang, presented a flower bouquet to the Lt Governor which was prepared from the flowers grown at her own farm.
In his address on the occasion, the Chief Secretary A&N Administration, Shri Anindo Majumdar expressed his happiness over the inauguration of an important outlet of the Agriculture Department through which value added produce will be sold. He said people visiting these Islands will be able to purchase value added produce while the Agriculture farm and the farmers can also earn from it. The Chief Secretary thanked the Lt Governor for his initiative and motivation for opening this all important Agri-outlet. The Chief Secretary said that he was happy to note that the double cropping system has been augmented in these Islands in recent years. He urged the Agriculture Department to propagate rain harvesting system in these Islands in a greater way. He further stated that drip irrigation system also needs to be propagated so that water is optimally utilised while quality seeds must also be distributed to farmers for better yield.
In her welcome address, the Secretary Agriculture, Smt. R. Maneka said it’s an important day as Agri Store named ‘Vatika’, (Flavours of Andaman) has become functional, through which value added produce of these Islands will be sold. She also informed about various new schemes of the Central Govt. which have been introduced and implemented in these Islands to double the income of the farmers. She said that seeds and fertilisers are being distributed to farmers while they are also being provided adequate trainings under the schemes of ATMA. She said that food processing is being given due importance as it helps increase the shelf- life of the agri produce. She also thanked the Industries Department for providing space and the APWD for timely completing the outlet for its inauguration.
Pls inform, about other Vatika outlets in Andaman and In Kolkata.