Aiming to build climate resilience and food self-sufficiency, ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) and its KVK unit in Car Nicobar conducted a three-day training from July 4 to 6 in Kakana village. The program was designed to empower tribal farmers with innovative techniques in vegetable cultivation, pest control, and weather-adaptive farming.
Over 50 tribal farmers took part in the training, which introduced a range of practical skills from site selection and raised bed preparation to organic input usage and natural pest deterrents. The farmers were introduced to climate-resilient crop varieties such as okra, brinjal, radish, pumpkin, bitter gourd, cowpea, and gourds, chosen specifically for their suitability in the region’s agro-climatic conditions.
A significant component of the training was the use of the Gramin Krishi Mausam Seva (GKMS), a weather advisory service jointly implemented by IMD and ICAR. Farmers were trained to interpret these advisories to make informed decisions on sowing, irrigation, and harvest planning, thereby reducing crop losses due to unpredictable climate events.
The programme also introduced two innovative tools, Dweep Go-Fly for fly management and Dweep Leaf Separator for efficient post-harvest processing. These tools are expected to ease manual labour and enhance hygiene in vegetable production, further improving market readiness.
To encourage self-sufficiency, each participant was provided with vegetable seed kits and a manual titled “Island Kitchen Gardening – Sustainable Resource Utilisation and Self-Sufficiency.” These kits are part of a larger push to integrate backyard farming into the nutritional and economic strategies of tribal households.
Conducted under the Scheduled Tribe Component and Tribal Sub Plan schemes, the training saw coordinated efforts from scientists, subject matter experts, and technical staff. The initiative reflects CIARI’s goal of localizing agricultural innovation to fit the unique challenges of island ecosystems.
Participants responded positively to the field-based sessions and demonstration activities, describing the programme as timely and necessary amid growing climate unpredictability. Many expressed a desire for follow-up sessions and further exposure to value-added practices.
