The Regional Station of ICAR-CIARI Port Blair conducted a ‘Field Day-Pearl Millet Cultivation under Coconut Plantation’ for the tribal youth of Lakshadweep Islands on December 30, 2023. Dr. Chokkalingam, the principal of Government Polytechnic College was the chief guest. He expressed his appreciation for the ICAR-CIARI for hosting the field day and demonstrating millet farming on the occasion. A total of 31 participants, including 5 women and 26 men from different islands, attended the programme. Scientific team, comprising Dr. Gladston Y. and Dr. Ajina S. M., interacted with the farmers and youth and demonstrated the package of practices for organic pearl millet-Bajra cultivation under coconut plantations.
The scientific team explained the health benefits and importance of millets as future foods during the session. A field trial of hybrid bajra plantations was conducted on a coconut farm. A total of 20 kg of pearl millets were harvested in the presence of the principal of Govt. Polytechnic and Smt. Safeela T.P., Shri. Kunjikoya ADU, officials of the Department of Agriculture, Dr. Gladston Y, Convener, Mrs. Ajina S.M., Co-Conveners, Shri Arif M.I, Coordinator, and Dr.S.K. Zamir Ahmed, Nodal Officer, Lakshadweep, coordinated the programme under the chairmanship of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.
Read more: https://ciari.icar.gov.in/fielddaypeal.html
