Port Blair, Feb 03: A three day programme on “Women Empowerment Demonstration cum training on “Value Addition in Tuber crops”was organized by ICAR- Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair under the guidance of Dr. B. A. Jerard, Director in collaboration with Department of Agriculture, Little Andaman at Harminder Bay from 29th to 31st January, 2020. The programme was organized under the All India Coordinated Research Project on tuber crops (TSP), with an objective of promoting value addition in tuber crops for the livelihood opportunities of tribal farmers. Smt. Kitty Hilton, First Captain, Tribal Council, Harminder Bay presided over the function as chief guest on the occasion while Shri. Fred Levi, Second captain and Shri.Yoseph, Third captain was the guest of honour. In the inaugural address, Smt. Kitty Hilton has motivated the tribal farmers to promote value addition in coconut and tuber crops to augment their income while Shri. Fred Levi has urged the farmers to derive maximum benefits by exploring the market avenues for product diversification. Dr. V.Damodaran, Asst. Chief Tech. Officer & PI, AICRP (TC) presented an over view of the project and explained the scope and importance of value addition in tuber crops and preparation of different value added products in tuber crops and coconut. Smti. Bindu Raghunathan, Agriculture Officer, Department of Agriculture, Little Andaman emphasized the role of women empowerment in value addition and marketing opportunities for different commodities followed by interaction with the tribal farmers. In the technical sessions practical demonstration for preparation of different value added products on tuber crops, role of tuber crops as pig feed and economics were dealt by the team of experts. During the valedictory session, the trainees in groups prepared and displayed about ten different types of traditional food items from Nicobari aloo, Cassava, Sweet potato, Colocasia and Elephant foot yam. Altogether 50 tribal farmers including 21 females and officials of Agriculture department have participated in the training programme.
