Port Blair, Oct 13: The ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra – Nicobar, Car Nicobar organized a Community Breed Conservation Award Ceremony cum Farmer-Scientist Interaction at Community Hall, Tamaloo, Car Nicobar on 12th October, 2017, for handing over the Community Breed Conservation Award w.r.t. Nicobari Pig to the Tribal Council, Car Nicobar on behalf of the entire Nicobari community. The Award was earlier received by Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair on 21st September, 2017 from National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resource, Karnal on behalf of the Tribal Council in recognization of the efforts taken by Nicobari community for conserving the precious Nicobari Pig.
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Guest Mr. Awanish Kumar, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar lauded the efforts of KVK and ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair for making the world know about the precious indigenous germplasm of Nicobar viz. Nicobari Pig, Nicobari Fowl and Teressa Goat as well as organizing such an event at Car Nicobar. He was very happy to see an overwhelming response of the tribal farmers, captains and representative of EHL and Tribal Council and later interacted with the Director, ICAR-CIARI, Dr. A. Kundu and his team of scientists. The Community Breed Conservation Award was handed over to the representative of the Tribal Council, Car Nicobar by Mr. Awanish Kumar, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar in presence of Dr. A. Kundu, village Headmen, scientists of CIARI and other dignitaries during the programme.
The Guest of Honour Mr. L. Davidson, Representative of executive member and Tribal Council, Car Nicobar expressed his happiness for getting this award and appreciated the efforts of KVK and CIARI for the same.
Dr. A. Kundu, Director (Acting), ICAR- CIARI, Port Blair placed on record the efforts of Nicobari community for conserving the Nicobari pig. He also mentioned that it took seven years of hard work to get the registration of Nicobari pig as a new breed of India. He also appreciated KVK-Nicobar for working tirelessly for holistic development of agricultural sector in these islands.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. S.K. Zamir Ahmed, Principal Scientist and Incharge Social Science Section informed the gathering the contribution made by the KVK-Nicobar since its inception in the year 2010 for furthering the agricultural development through ToT activities. Dr. Jai Sunder, Principal Scientist, highlighted the importance of the indigenous breeds which has been registered as new breed for conservation purpose and genetic improvement.
During the Farmer-Scientist Interaction Session Dr. Nagesh Ram, Mr. S.K. Pandey, Dr. Zachariah George, of KVK, Nicobar, Dr. Ramesh, Smti. Rizwana, Mr. Francis from the Development Department briefed about the different technologies, Govt. schemes and developmental activities undertaken for agricultural sector in Nicobar. During the session, the farmers raised different issues faced by them which were responded by respective experts.
Earlier Dr. Nagesh Ram, Senior Scientist and Head, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the activities and achievements of KVK-Nicobar and Dr. Zachariah George, SMS (AS) proposed vote of thanks. Dr. S.K. Pandey, SMS (Agronomy) coordinated the conduct of the programme which was participated by 180 nos. comprising of Nicobari farmers, alongwith Village Headmen, officials of Development Department participated in the programme.
