Sri Vijaya Puram, October 15: Farmers, nursery operators and community-based organisations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can apply for eight proposed skill development programmes aimed at strengthening technical capabilities, improving agricultural practices and supporting income-generating activities under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Programme.
The Directorate of Agriculture has invited applications under ANI-12, the programme’s Skill Development Intervention, covering training in post-harvest technology, commercial nursery management, mushroom cultivation, farm machinery maintenance and the processing and value addition of locally relevant agricultural products.
The eight training sectors include post-harvest technology for vegetable cultivation, including sorting and grading; commercial nursery development; and mushroom cultivation, packaging and marketing. The programmes will also cover post-harvest management, packaging and marketing of cut flowers and ornamental plants, along with the repair and maintenance of farm machinery.
The remaining courses will focus on processing and value addition of spices, coconut and arecanut. The proposed training areas span agricultural production, handling, processing and marketing, with the department seeking to enhance participants’ knowledge, practical skills and entrepreneurial capabilities.
The application process is open to interested farmers, nursery owners, representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), members of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Applicants must submit their details to the concerned Zonal Agriculture Office or Assistant Director of Agriculture by October 31, 2026. Each application must include the applicant’s name, village, category, mobile number and the specific training programme they wish to attend.
The Directorate has advised interested participants to contact their nearest Zonal Agriculture Office or the Directorate of Agriculture for further information about the proposed programmes and application process.
The initiative places skill development across several agricultural activities, from improving the handling of harvested produce to developing processing and marketing capabilities. Participation will depend on applying for the relevant training programme through the designated agriculture offices.
