Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 03: Improving paddy productivity through high-yielding varieties and advanced cultivation practices took centre stage at a field demonstration organised by ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI) at Bloomsdale Research Farm, Chouldari, on September 2.
The programme, conducted in collaboration with ICAR-KVK, South Andaman, brought 43 farmers from North and Middle Andaman together for field demonstrations, technical discussions and direct interaction with agricultural scientists. The participants included 32 women and 11 men.
The field day focused on the theme “Enhancement of Productivity and Production of Paddy through Demonstration of High-Yielding Rice Varieties”. The programme was organised under the overall guidance of ICAR-CIARI Director Dr Jai Sunder.
Farm Manager K. Shyam Sundar Rao opened the programme by welcoming the participating farmers and other dignitaries. He also outlined the research and farm management activities being carried out at Bloomsdale Research Farm for farmers and other stakeholders in the Islands.
Dr P. K. Singh, Head (I/c) and Principal Scientist of the FCIP Section, demonstrated the field performance of different high-yielding rice varieties developed by ICAR-CIARI. He also showcased improved varieties and advanced production technologies developed by the institute and discussed agricultural issues and challenges with the participating farmers.
The programme also highlighted natural farming as an approach to rice cultivation. Dr Y. Ramakrishna, Principal Scientist and Head of ICAR-KVK, South Andaman, demonstrated a natural farming-based rice field and explained its relevance to sustainable, environmentally friendly and climate-resilient agriculture.
Dr Prabhu P., Scientist, interacted with the farmers and encouraged them to consider the improved rice varieties and agricultural technologies developed by ICAR-CIARI. He stressed that adopting suitable improved technologies could enhance crop productivity and production while supporting farmers’ livelihoods and sustainable agriculture in the Islands.
Officials from the Directorate of Agriculture, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, also attended the programme. The participating farmers benefited from the technical deliberations, farmer-scientist interactions and field demonstrations.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Technical Assistant Bikash Chandra Mondal.
