Port Blair, Feb 26: ICAR-CIARI in collaboration with “The National Academy of Sciences, India” (NASI), Prayagraj and ICAR-KVK, Car Nicobar conducted three days residential training programme on “Floriculture: A potential livelihood option for Nicobari tribal community” during 22-24, February, 2020 at ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair. 20 tribal farmers from four villages of Car Nicobar attended the training programme. Dr. B. A. Jerard inaugurated the training programme and discussed the scope and opportunities for floriculture in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The production technology of various flower crops (Heliconia, Calathea, Alpinia, Torch ginger, marigold, star jasmine) along with opportunities for integrating them in plantation based cropping system, terminal cutting propagation technique in marigold, nursery technology for speciality flower crops, value addition like fresh and dry flower bouquet making and their flower arrangements using speciality flowers were dealt in detail with demonstration by Dr. V. Baskaran, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIARI and Course coordinator of the training programme. Marketing opportunities, entrepreneurship development and self-employment through floriculture and its value added products was explained by Dr. Zamir Ahmed, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer, NASI. Dr. B. A. Jerard Director, ICAR-CIARI and Course Director of the training programme appreciated the skills developed by the participants in the training programme by learning the flower art and designs which was depicted by the floral arrangements presented by the trainees. This type of hands on training programme given to the tribal farmers of Car Nicobar will help them to increase their livelihood opportunities. Planting material of speciality flowers were distributed to tribal farmers of Nicobar.
