Port Blair, June 23: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) celebrated its 39th Foundation Day at its Mela ground on 23rd June, 2017. Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary & Director General, Govt. of India, Department of Agricultural Research & Education and Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
The Chief guest, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary Department of Agricultural Research & Education Govt. of India & Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi, in his address lauded the yeoman services done by the Institute in research, development & extension services and also the contributions of the Scientists and others for taking the Institute this far. He specially appreciated the efforts of the Director for contributing to the Institutional award and also for the last 27 years of his valuable time for this Island system research, development and extension. He stressed to honour and work dedicatedly to accomplish the mission of the Honourable Prime Minister of India, in doubling the income of the farmers by 2022. Keeping all the challenges in the stride we have to plan and execute the short and long term goals, which will benefit our stakeholders in defined time frame. He further emphasised to select few feasible technologies which we may accomplish by 2022 covering complete Andaman & Nicobar Islands to see the impacts. He cited the example of providing soil health cards to around 14,000 registered farmers of the Island groups which can be accomplished with next 2-3 months.
He stressed upon to identify the bottlenecks which hamper the developmental processes, to explore the possibility of deep sea fishing with other institutes, to work on sea weeds, coral biota in collaboration with the mainland institutes and other departments of the Ministry of Agriculture and Framer’s Welfare, wherever required. While addressing the farmers he asked them to come forward and develop three – four amongst them to take up
food processing entrepreneurship in association with the banking institutions like NABARD & other similar institutions. He also assured to provide full support from the Council and the Department in fostering the research & development programmes. Speaking on the rich biodiversity available in this Island, he called upon to protect and study the potentials of the same so that the unexplored may be explored and future challenges of climate change can be mitigated. He concluded his speech by appreciating the energy of the farmers , their happiness and determination of the farmers.
Earlier he visited the stalls and witnesses the technological demonstration and exposition displayed by the Development Departments, NABARD, Cooperative Bank, NGOs like Yuva Shakti, ACANI, SHGs of NCUI, KVKs, Division of CIARI, Karen and Nicobari tribal community. Beside the innovations in the form of product and process were also seen by him. He expressed his happiness and interacted with the beneficiaries.
He also released books, bulletins and folders for the benefits of the farmers, youth, extension beneficiaries. On the occasion, scientists, officers, division, best farmers, and best innovators were felicitated by the chief guest for their meritorious contributions and commendable service.
At the outset Dr. S. Dam Roy, Director, ICAR-CIARI welcomed the gathering and spoke on the sojourn of from the days of jungle clearing to the centre of excellence and from CARI to CIARI from 2014 ,which is now the beacon for tropical island agriculture for South East Asian countries. During his speech he paid kudos to the earlier Directors, and highlighted on the contribution made by the scientists of the institute and other staff in bringing the Institute to such heights. He also placed the coordination with the line departments to be of high order which has enabled us to reach the aunreached benefitting the farmers, women, youth and other stakeholders of the Islands over the years. Facilitation of Plant Genome Saviour Award to Karen and Nicobari tribals and adding of Regional Centre at Minicoy & KVK at Kavaratti at Lakshadweep was also stressed in his deliberation.
A large number of audiences representing from development departments, research, media, farmers from all three districts and staff attended the 39th foundation day function which came to end with vote of thanks proposed by Shri S.K. Singh, Senior Administrative Officer. At the outset Dr.A.Kundu, HoD, Animal Science welcomed the august gathering and Dr.S.K.Zamir Ahmed, Principal Scientist and organizing secretary of the event coordinated the programme along with his team.
