Port Blair, Dec 07: A demonstration programme on “Kitchen gardening in Urban and Peri-urban Spaces for Nutritional Security” was organized at ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair as a part of “AzadikaAmrutMahotsav” celebrations under NABARD- Urban Horticulture project on December 6, 2021. Anganwadi workers from 28 centres along with their supervisor Ms.KamleshKumari attended the programme. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director of the Institute by watering the plant. He exhorted the participants to learn the techniques of gardening being demonstrated in the programme and implement in their workplaces. Dr.PoojaBohra, Organizer of the programme, apprised the participants about the role of various horticultural commodities in imparting nutrition and other health benefits to the consumers. Participants were taken to the Institutional Demonstration Unit on Urban Horticulture, where various plant species suitable for urban gardening have been displayed in pots, grow bags, vertical models etc. Dr.AjitArunWaman, Co-organizer of the programme explained in detail about the uses and cultivation techniques of the displayed species. Participants were then taken to Horticultural Plants Propagation unit for demonstrations on various propagation techniques and cultivation of potted plants. The session was followed by practical demonstration on various intercultural operations viz. basin preparation, manure application, weeding etc. and ended with field planting of fruit plants.
