The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has stepped up efforts to promote sustainable farming and fisheries practices through a series of initiatives under the Union Territory Agriculture Technology Management Agency (UTATMA). A combination of demonstrations, training sessions and advisory meetings were conducted across villages this month to encourage farmers to adopt scientific techniques during the Kharif season.
One of the key demonstrations was organised at Gandhinagar village in Diglipur block, where farmers were shown how to integrate spice crops with existing arecanut and coconut plantations. Conducted on the field of Gour Ch. The session drew participation from agriculture officials, ATMA staff, Farmers’ Friends and local cultivators. By presenting intercropping as a viable option, the event highlighted how small-scale farmers could boost income and diversify production without expanding land use.
On the same day, attention also turned to fisheries. At Vishnupur village in Rangat, the first session of a two-day training programme on hygienic handling of fish and post-harvest techniques was conducted. Hosted on the premises of local panchayat head Samiran Mondal, the session brought together officials from the Departments of Fisheries, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, alongside ATMA functionaries and farmers’ groups. The training emphasised how proper handling during and after fishing could reduce spoilage, ensure food safety and improve market value for fishers.
Such programmes mark a deliberate shift towards integrated rural development, combining crop, livestock and fisheries-based livelihoods. The Rangat training, for instance, drew active participation not just from fishers but also from farmers, creating a platform for cross-learning between communities that often operate in parallel. Officials highlighted best practices, government schemes and innovations aimed at strengthening local resilience.
A Kharif campaign was also carried out at R.K. Pur village in Little Andaman on the farm of Roopchand Biswas. Campaigns like these typically serve as seasonal awareness drives, informing farmers of new technologies, government incentives and climate-adapted farming methods that are critical during the monsoon cropping period.
The scale of this coordinated outreach underscores how agriculture in the islands is increasingly viewed as a sector requiring both scientific innovation and grassroots awareness. Coconut and arecanut remain staples of Andaman’s rural economy, but diversification through spices and integrated farming is being encouraged to stabilise incomes. Likewise, fisheries form a lifeline for coastal villages, and adopting hygienic practices can reduce post-harvest losses that often erode profitability.
By pooling expertise from agriculture, fisheries and veterinary services, campaigns address multiple aspects of rural livelihoods simultaneously. The presence of local governance representatives, such as panchayat leaders, adds a layer of community trust and mobilisation.
For farmers and fishers, these sessions are opportunities to access both technical know-how and direct clarifications on schemes that otherwise remain confined to policy documents. The practical demonstrations, such as intercropping spice seedlings under existing plantations, provide a tangible example that participants can replicate on their own fields. Similarly, fishers who learn simple but effective hygienic handling techniques can immediately apply them to their daily routines.
With the monsoon in full swing and the Kharif season underway, the timing of these activities is critical. The combination of training, awareness and direct demonstration offers farmers tools to adapt to market demands and environmental challenges while safeguarding food security in the islands.
