The delegation was led by Shri Charanjit Singh Channi, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, accompanied by 13 other Members of Parliament, including Shri Ramji Lal Suman, Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure, Dr. Anil Sukhdeorao Bonde, Shri Sudhakar Singh, and others. Shri Khakhai Zou, Secretary to the Delegation, along with other key officials, represented the committee.
Dr. S.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Sciences), and Dr. V.B. Patel, Assistant Director General (Fruits & Plantation Crops), were present at the meeting.
Officials from the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, including Shri Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary, Extension, Dr. Venu Prasad, Joint Director, Extension, Shri Anil Kumar Meena, Under Secretary, and Ajai Kumar Yadav Director, Regional Fodder Station, Chennai, were also present.
The Andaman and Nicobar Administration was represented by Dr. Apurva Sharma, Director, Agriculture and Dr. K.A. Naveen, Director, Animal Husbandry.
The visit included an in-depth review of ICAR-CIARI’s significant achievements, current research, and development activities, particularly those undertaken in collaboration with the institute’s Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and regional stations.
Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, briefed the institute’s ongoing work aimed at improving agricultural practices and extending technological support to island farmers.
During the visit, the committee toured various facilities at ICAR-CIARI, including the spice-based plantation system, the World Coconut Germplasm Centre at Sippighat Farm, and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in South Andaman. Other highlights included agro-ecotourism farms, herbal gardens, ornamental fish breeding units, and the modern dairy, goat, duck, and fodder units. The delegation also had the opportunity to explore exhibits showcasing technologies, new varieties, value-added products, and unique germplasm.
The committee engaged with progressive farmers and entrepreneurs, such as Smti. K. Chellamel (Padma Shri awardee), Shri Chintaharan Biswas (the first farmer to register the Chinta Mango), and Smti. Nitu Sindhu (mushroom entrepreneur), among others, to gain insights into the successful implementation of agricultural technologies.
(Source: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institutem Sri Vijaya Puram)
