Port Blair, Mar 25: The Department of Home Science, JNRM, in association with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Andaman and Nicobar Islands organised a National Seminar on “Role of Agri-Entrepreneurship, FPO and Fisheries in Atmanirbhar Bharat: Issues and Challenges with special reference to Andaman and Nicobar Islands” on 25th March 2022.
During the inauguration the Chief Guest Ms. Nabanita Ganguly IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Department of Environment & Forest, Andaman & Nicobar Administration has congratulated the Department of Home Science for organising this National Seminar by involving various line departments. She spoke on consumer point of view and how agricultural and its bye-products interlinked with the economic development in society. When the production potential is in demand mode, the farmers will also get an increase in their income based on technological intervention, she added. She also highlighted the scope of fisheries and its value addition in Andaman and Nicobar Islands so that the unemployed youth can get more employment opportunities.
Dr.H.K.Sharma, Principal, JNRM spoke on the importance of technology on improving the livelihood based on agriculture. He said that development of food technology has to be improved in Andaman and Nicobar Islands so that the farmers of these islands get benefitted and earn more capital. Dr. K.Venkatesan, HOD, Homescience and Convener of the programme spoke on the role of Agricultural Extension Activities for promoting the FPOs and entrepreneurial development programmes. He also focused on Atmanirbhar Bharat mission so that the Islands farmers will get benefit on product development and marketing.
Lead Paper on Agric Incubation was presented by Dr.R.Saravanan, Director, National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) Hyderabad on Agri-Business and Startups: Opportunities and Challenges, Prof. Surya Rathore, Principal Scientist, ICAR-NAARM presented a lead paper on Development of Soft Skills for Agripreneurship development among Graduates: Strategic interventions under NAHEP, Dr.P.Sethuraman Sivakumar, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CTCRI, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala presented a lead paper on Assessing the Impact of Farmers Producers Organisations: An Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Perspective.
In the Valedictory Session Smt.C.Sumithra, Deputy General Manager, NABARD. Port Blair was the Chief Guest. While addressing the gathering the has appreciated the participants for showing keen interest to attend this deliberation on agri-entrepreneurship. Further she has exhorted them to take the message to the needy and serve as an ambassador between the grassroot level agricultural workers, FPOs and Government Institutes / Organisations. Later the certificates were distributed to the participants.
Earlier Smt.Nidhi Shekhawat, Assistant Professor & Dr.Rekha Kumari, Resource person welcomed the gathering while Dr Shilpa Kaushal, Resource Person, Department of Home Science proposed vote of thanks. Smt.Poonam Ajay Singh, Resource Person, Department of Home Science moderated the entire programme and Ms. Binku Mondal & Smt.Deepika Resource Person has served as Rapporteur. Altogether 125 participants from ICAR-CIARI, Andaman College, JNRM, NGO, SHGs, Agricultural field workers and students participated in this programme. 23 Research papers from presented by experts.
