Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 20: Improving scientific cultivation and post-harvest practices could help spice growers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands increase returns from major commercial crops, while opening opportunities in production, processing and value addition for island youth, experts said during a three-day training programme at ICAR-CIARI.
The programme, titled “Scientific Cultivation and Postharvest Management of Major Spice Crops of the Bay Islands”, was conducted at the ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute under the CSS-MIDH Project on Spices from August 17 to 19, 2026.
The training was organised to address gaps in awareness among growers about scientific cultivation and post-harvest management, which can affect profitability. It also sought to highlight the potential of the spices sector as a business avenue for youth in the Islands.
Dr. Jai Sunder, Director (A), ICAR-CIARI, inaugurated the programme and spoke about the historical role of spices in India and their economic value. He encouraged participants to make use of the technical sessions conducted during the programme.
Dr. Ajit Arun Waman, principal investigator of the CSS-MIDH Project on Spices and course director, covered scientific cultivation practices for traditional and novel spice crops. The sessions included black pepper, cinnamon, tejpat, nutmeg, clove, ginger, turmeric, woody pepper, culantro and mango ginger.
Dr. Pooja Bohra, course director, addressed propagation methods for producing quality planting material and the business opportunities available in the nursery sector. Participants received hands-on training in vegetative propagation methods, including division, cuttings, air layering, serpentine layering, softwood grafting, approach grafting and Dweep Goottee 365, a propagation technique developed by ICAR-CIARI.
The training also covered protected structures required for producing quality planting material. Participants were introduced to naturally ventilated and climate-controlled polyhouses, shade-net houses and poly tunnels.
As part of the practical component, participants visited the Horticulture Research Farm at Sippighat, where they observed different spice-based cropping systems involving cinnamon, black pepper, woody pepper, clove, nutmeg, turmeric, mango ginger and ginger.
Sessions on nutrient management, weed-mat use and plant-protection chemicals provided practical exposure to intercultural practices. Participants also observed cinnamon harvesting using Dweep CinnRub, a cinnamon bark-rubbing tool developed by ICAR-CIARI.
The programme further demonstrated mechanical drying, packaging and storage techniques and the machinery used for these processes at the Horticultural Quality Analysis Laboratory. Participants also visited the Institute’s essential-oil distillation unit to learn about the process firsthand.
A total of 21 participants from different parts of the Islands attended the programme, including members of self-help groups, educated youth, entrepreneurs and kitchen gardeners.
The programme concluded on August 19 with the distribution of certificates, planting material and spice products to participants.
