Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 31: Access to scientific advice and improved farming technologies remained central to an outreach programme involving 287 farmers across island districts, organised by ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI) alongside the release of the 24th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme.
The institute organised the live telecast of the Prime Minister’s announcement on October 30 at its Garacharma headquarters in Sri Vijaya Puram, Regional Centre in Minicoy, Lakshadweep, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman, and Nicobar districts.
The programme brought together 287 farmers, including 184 men and 115 women, along with 111 ICAR-CIARI personnel comprising scientists and administrative and technical staff.
Before the telecast, the institute conducted a scientist-farmer interaction to address agricultural problems raised by participants. Farmers discussed field-level challenges, shared their experiences and sought technical guidance. Scientists responded to their queries with practical solutions and advisories, focusing on improved farming methods and the adoption of agricultural technologies.
The programme also featured technologies developed by ICAR-CIARI and accounts of farmers who had improved their livelihoods through scientific farming practices. Screenings covered experiences and achievements across crop production, animal science and fisheries, highlighting applications of research and innovation in agriculture and allied activities.
The presentations offered farmers examples of how scientific interventions could be applied across different agricultural sectors, while providing an opportunity to learn about practices adopted by progressive farmers.
The 24th PM-KISAN instalment release formed the central event of the programme, which connected farmers and institute personnel across the participating locations through a common broadcast.
The PM-KISAN scheme provides financial assistance to eligible farmer families, with the stated objective of supporting their livelihood security.
