The Department of Tourism is gearing up for the celebration of Spice Festival – 2025 on July 16, with an immersive itinerary that combines agro-tourism, culture, and cuisine. As part of the Island administration’s broader campaign to boost sustainable tourism, the festival seeks to showcase the agricultural richness of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands through guided tours and hands-on experiences centered on spice cultivation.
Participants of the event will be taken on a curated journey across some of the most prominent spice farms in the region. Among the highlights is a visit to the award-winning farm of Padma Shri Kamachi Chellammal, popularly known as Nariyal Amma, in Rangachang. Visitors will also tour the Krishi Vigyan Kendra-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (KVK-CIARI) in Sippighat and the organic spice farm of Junglee Mirchi Resort in Caddlegunj.
The half-day program will feature spice plantation walkthroughs, harvesting sessions, and live demonstrations on spice processing and packaging. Culinary experts will host cooking demonstrations showcasing how local spices elevate traditional island recipes. These curated interactions are intended to not only highlight the unique agricultural methods of the islands but also promote value-added processing for local farmers.
To facilitate public participation, the Tourism Department has arranged a dedicated bus service departing from the Directorate of IP&T at 8:30 am on the event day. Tourists, guide trainees, and students pursuing tourism studies have been invited to register by submitting their details by 3 pm on July 15. The festival is expected to draw both domestic and foreign tourists seeking authentic, offbeat experiences.
Agro-tourism has increasingly become a key part of the Islands’ sustainable tourism strategy. The Spice Festival represents this shift, offering travelers a blend of education, heritage, and community interaction. By promoting local agriculture as a cultural asset, the department hopes to strengthen the Islands’ position as a green tourism destination.
