Port Blair, Dec 30: ICAR – Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) conducted a two days training programme on “Cultivation of Black Pepper, Ginger and Turmeric as livelihood option for Island farmers” at Karmantang village, Mayabunder during 26th to 27th December, 2016 in association with KVK, North and Middle Andamanfunded by Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development Board (DASD), Kozhikode under the MIDH project on spices. The training programme was inaugurated by NawSeviah, Pradhan, Rampur villageas the chief guest and Mr. Anandarajan, Up-Pradhan, Rampur village as the guest of honourof the training programme in the forenoon on 26.12.2016. A total of about 80 farmers attended the training programme. The course Director, Dr. K. Abirami, Scientist, ICAR-CIARI briefed the farmers about the training programme and discussed the scope and importance of growing spice crops in the Island. The course coordinators Dr. V. Baskaran and Dr. V. Damodaran explained the production technology of bush pepper, ginger and turmeric. The SMS of KVK, Middle and North Andaman, Dr. Shailesh Kumar, Mr. Meena, Mr. Basnadhia and Mr. Manoj Kumar discussed about the post-harvest and value addition of spice crops. Field visits were made to the farmers’ field on 27th December, 2016 and technical guidance were given to the farmers with respect to spices cultivation. Planting material of black pepper, clove, cinnamon and nutmeg were distributed to the farmers during the training programme. The two days training programme was conducted under the supervision and guidance of Dr. S. Dam Roy, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.
