Minicoy, Lakshadweep – On June 5-7, ICAR‑CIARI’s Regional Station at Minicoy, in collaboration with ICAR‑KVK Kavaratti, ICAR‑CMFRI Field Lab Kavaratti, and New Delhi’s ISS, conducted a three-day campaign combining farmer outreach and environmental stewardship. The initiative reached 35 farmers and mobilised local stakeholders in a bid to strengthen livelihoods and revive coastal ecosystems.
At the outset on June 5 and 6, the scientific team led by Dr Gladston Y. and comprising Dr Ajina S.M., Dr Abdul Azeez, technical officers Shareefuddeen Hassan and Arif M.I., and AISHA‑workers undertook a mangrove plantation drive at Eastern Minicoy and South Tundi point. This event, part of World Environment Day 2025 under the slogan “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution,” saw the planting of 500 mangroves, 150 Avicennia, 50 Rhizophora, 200 Bruguiera and 100 Kandelia. Local community leaders, forest department officials, and villagers actively participated, signalling community commitment to coastal biodiversity and plastic pollution awareness.
The drive aimed at reforestation of degraded shorelines, buffer zones against coastal erosion, and strengthening local ecosystems to combat climate threats. Stakeholder engagement was vital in reinforcing ecological consciousness and fostering sustainable island practices aligned with global climate restoration goals.
Following the greening effort, on June 7 the region witnessed a packed farmer outreach under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) spearheaded by ICAR‑CIARI and ICAR‑KVK. The day focused on precision farming, fisheries advisories, and livestock support ahead of the monsoon season. Dr Gladston Y. opened the event, outlining campaign objectives and spotlighting the integration of artificial intelligence in precision agriculture. He shared his vision that scientific innovation must support island farmers, ensuring sustainable food security and economic stability.
Dr Ajina S.M. addressed monsoon fisheries, suggesting alternative means to boost sustainable fish production. This took into account changing rainfall patterns and sea conditions that affect stock viability. Meanwhile, Dr Thoufeera M.K., veterinary surgeon, detailed poultry and goat rearing strategies suited to monsoon challenges such as damp conditions and disease risk. Farmers were given clear guidance on animal housing, feed protocols, and health monitoring, critical for sustaining livestock incomes.
Technical insights on crop and horticultural practices for the Kharif season were provided by technical officer Shareefuddeen Hassan. He explained suitable seeds, nursery establishment techniques, soil management, and organic pest control. Senior technician Arif M.I. translated these practices into Mahl, ensuring that local farmers clearly understood implementation steps and could adopt them confidently.
The event culminated in the distribution of vegetable kits, comprising seeds and tools, to 30 farmers, 14 men and 16 women, from across the island’s village clusters. Alongside the farming community, officials from the Animal Husbandry Department actively participated in kit distribution. The practical support underscored responsiveness to farmer needs and demonstrated how modern science can be blended with traditional practices for improved yields.
The VKSA campaign and mangrove planting were organised under the guidance of ICAR‑CIARI Director Dr Eaknath B. Chakurkar, with collaborative planning by Dr Gladston Y., Dr Ajina S.M., Dr Abhisek Das (KVK), and coordination by Shareefuddeen Hassan and Arif M.I. The dual initiative reflects a holistic approach: boosting agricultural productivity while preserving coastal ecosystems.
By combining targeted farmer aid with environmental restoration within a tight three-day window, ICAR‑CIARI demonstrated how rural development and ecological resilience can move in tandem. Farmers received both practical support, such as precision farm techniques, fisheries advisories, and livestock management, and hands‑on materials, while mangrove regrowth began to reshape coastal biodiversity.
This programme offers a model for sustainable island development, illustrating how science-driven agricultural support and eco-conservation can operate cohesively. With plastic pollution mitigation as an added priority, the campaign also signals a growing recognition of environmental threats in island communities.
Over the coming months, ICAR‑CIARI plans to monitor mangrove survival rates and assess crop productivity among the supported farmers. These efforts will be reviewed at follow‑up workshops, and lessons will inform future campaigns across Lakshadweep. The initiative is expected to serve as a blueprint for integrated development, combining economic opportunity with ecological responsibility.
As climate change accelerates and islands face unique vulnerabilities, ICAR‑CIARI’s integrated model in Minicoy shows that farmer welfare and environmental protection can go hand in hand. With local leadership, scientific guidance and community participation, sustainable island futures are not just aspirational, they are possible.
