Archives for November 2024

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 25: Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament, has stressed the need to convene Administrator’s Advisory Council (AAC) and State Plan Board (SPB) meetings for ensuring inclusive discussions and decision making.

In a letter addressed to the LG the MP has observed that in the absence of structured discussions and deliberations through established democratic forums in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, coordination between elected body and the Administration is missing. Historically, Administrators (Lt. Governors) of the Islands used to head State Plan Board meetings annually, facilitating discussions and decisions on major developmental works utilizing UT budget grants. Similarly, the Administrator’s Advisory Council meetings were convened each year to gather valuable inputs and suggestions from stakeholders, ensuring that the welfare measures reflected the aspirations and needs of the people. But as of now a structured system for deliberation or discussion is not in place. For the last many years the meetings of AAC and SPB have not been convened.

Today, the Islanders are suffering due to lack of basic needs including Drinking and potable water supply,  Electricity Problems, Lack of Healthcare Facilities, Deterioration of Roads, Curtailment of Development Funds for Local Bodies, Halted Economic Growth among other issues.

In light of the said challenges, the MP has requested the intervention of LG to urgently convene meetings of the Administrator’s Advisory Council and State Plan Board. Such meetings will allow for discussions, deliberations, and collaborative decision-making to address the pressing issues faced by the Islanders and ensure inclusive and participatory governance.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 25: The Andaman Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee President Mr. Rangalal Halder has formally addressed a pressing issue to the Secretary (Health), A & N Administration, seeking urgent action regarding the repair and maintenance of the X-ray machine at the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Kadamtala, Middle Andaman.
In his letter, Mr. Halder highlighted that the non-functional X-ray machine at PHC Kadamtala has been causing immense hardship for residents of the region, who rely heavily on the facility for diagnostic services. The prolonged downtime of this essential equipment has forced patients, including those from nearby villages, to travel long distances for X-ray services, resulting in delayed diagnoses and treatments, particularly in critical cases.
Acknowledging the vital role of the PHC in providing healthcare to a vast population, Mr. Halder has urged the Administration to prioritize the immediate repair of the X-ray machine. Furthermore, he also emphasized the need for a regular maintenance schedule to prevent similar disruptions in the future.

 

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 25: On November 22, 2024, a group of 240 students from PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School, accompanied by ten teachers, visited the Garacharma Research Complex of ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram, to observe ongoing research in Integrated Farming Systems, Fisheries, and Crop Science. The visit began with an interaction between the students and Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director of ICAR-CIARI. Dr. P. A. Bala, Principal Scientist, and Dr. Sharath S. Yeligar, Scientist in the Animal Science Division, provided insights into various aspects of animal husbandry, including the cattle farm, fodder block, modern goat farming, poultry, rabbit production units, and the feed mill. Mr. D. Karunakaran, Scientist, introduced the freshwater ornamental fish unit and highlighted the benefits of fish spas. Mr. Talaviya Harshang kumar, Scientist, and Mr. Karthi, Young Professional-I from the Natural Resource Management Division, elaborated on topics such as organic farming and integrated farming systems. Mr. Alex Praveen Barla, Senior Technical Assistant showcased and summarized the institute’s publications available in the library. Before the activities commenced, Mr. D. Karunakaran welcomed the students and emphasized the institute’s role in promoting agricultural advancements in the islands. Dr. Sharath S. Yeligar highlighted the significance of the visit in fostering interactions with scientists, building confidence, and nurturing a scientific mindset among students. The visit was coordinated by Mr. D. Karunakaran and Dr. Sharath S. Yeligar, along with Mrs. Asma Bibi, Senior Technical Assistant, Mr. Ali Akbar, Technician, and Mr. T. Adharsh Narayana, Young Professional-I from the Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit, all under the leadership of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director of ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 25: ICAR- KVK, N&M Andaman organized a three day training program on “Integrated Farming System for Sustainable Agriculture” at Shyamkund village, Bakultalafrom 20th to 22nd November, 2024. The program was inaugurated by Mr. Narayan Mondal Pradhan Bakultala Gram panchayat, who encouraged farmers to adopt integrated farming systems to achieve economic and ecological benefits. He stressed the importance of working closely with agricultural experts and institutions to address challenges in farming and optimize resource utilization. Dr. V. Damodaran, Senior Scientist and Head, ICAR-KVK N&M Andaman, provided an overview of integrated farming systems (IFS) and its role in improving resource efficiency, ensuring food security, and mitigating climate change effects. He discussed strategies to integrate crop cultivation, livestock, aquaculture, and agroforestry for sustainable growth. During the technical sessions, Mr. Rakesh Dawar, SMS Agronomy, discussed agronomic practices and crop diversification suitable for IFS. He highlighted the benefits of nutrient recycling and interlinking different farming components for enhanced productivity and income. Mr. Kanhaiyalal, Agriculture Officer, shared schemes related to IFS and practical approaches to soil and water conservation, integrated pest management, and utilizing available resources for maximum output. Mr. Subam Debroy, SMS Aquaculture, discussed integrating aquaculture into farming systems to maximize resource use and income. He explained methods for efficient water management and fish farming, emphasizing its complementary role in the IFS model. Mr. Yatharth Sharma, SMS Home Science, highlighted the role of value addition in integrated farming. He also emphasized empowerment of women and seasonal mushroom cultivation under IFS. The entire program was organized under the guidance of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijayapuram. About 30 farmers and farm women participated and benefited from the training.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 25: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram in collaboration with KVK, South Andaman conducted an Awareness Programme on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the Context of One Health at Wandoor, South Andaman on 22.11.2024. The awareness programme was inaugurated by Mr. Adhir Das, Pradhan, Wandoor Panchayat. In his address, he appreciated the sincere efforts of ICAR-CIARI and also urged the farmer participants to harness maximum benefit from the programme. Dr. Jai Sunder, Principal Scientist and Head, Animal Science Division elucidated in detail about the diseases of livestock prevalent in these Islands and also the threats of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in one health context. Further, Dr. K. Saravanan, Senior Scientist explained about the prevalence of fish diseases and the measures to mitigate the menace of AMR in human, animal and environmental health perspectives. Besides, Dr. J. Praveenraj, Scientist dwelt in detail about the responsible use of antibiotics in human and animal health management.
The queries raised by participants were addressed by the experts during the interactive session. Earlier, Dr. Y. Ramakrishna, Principal Scientist and Head, KVK, South Andaman welcomed the gathering and explained the significance of conducting the awareness programme on AMR. Finally, the programme was ended with vote of thanks proposed by Mrs. Poonam Rai, Panchayat Secretary, Wandoor Panchayat. Altogether, 34 numbers (Male-20, Female-14) of participants attended the programme. The programme was conducted under the All India Network Project on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Fisheries and Livestock (Animal Science and Fisheries Science Components) with the guidance of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI by the team comprising of Dr. Jai Sunder, Dr. K. Saravanan, Dr. J. Praveenraj and Dr. Y. Ramakrishna from ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram and KVK, South Andaman.

 

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 25: The ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), North & Middle Andaman, celebrated World Fisheries Day on November 21st, 2024, at the Fish Landing Centre, Betapur in collaboration with Department of Fisheries, Fisheries Substation, Billiground. The program focused on the critical importance of sustainable fisheries, conservation of aquatic ecosystems, and safeguarding the livelihoods of fishing communities. The program was inaugurated by Mr. Tapan Kumar Biswas, Assistant Director of Fisheries, North & Middle Andaman district. In his inaugural address, he emphasized the significance of World Fisheries Day in promoting sustainable fisheries and acknowledged the pivotal role of the fishing community in food security. He also encouraged the fishermen to utilize various schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana to improve their livelihoods and adopt sustainable practices, fostering long-term growth and resilience in the fisheries sector. Mr. Subam Debroy, SMS (Fisheries Science), emphasized the need for adopting eco-friendly fishing practices to curb the overexploitation of marine ecosystems and maintain ecological balance. He stressed the importance of adhering to appropriate mesh size regulations and observing fishing bans during the monsoon season to give fish the opportunity to breed at least once in their lifetime, ensuring the sustainability of marine resources. Furthermore, he highlighted the significance of prioritizing aquaculture as a sustainable and scalable solution to address the growing global demand for food while reducing pressure on natural fish stocks. Mr. Rakesh Dawar, SMS (Agronomy), emphasized the significance of World Fisheries Day in raising awareness about sustainable fisheries management. He urged fishermen to leverage resources and opportunities provided by the dedicated fisheries ministry to improve their livelihoods. Mr. Yatharth Sharma, SMS (Home Science), discussed the critical aspects of post-harvest processing and value addition in the fisheries sector. Earlier, Mr. Sanjib Kumar Sutradhar, Fisheries Inspector (Billiground Substation) welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the program. The program was organized under the overall guidance of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director of ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijayapuram. About 22Fisherman participated and benefited from the program.