Nimbudera, November 4: Farmers and farmwomen in North and Middle Andaman were introduced to pond-based integrated farming practices during a three-day training programme organised by ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Nimbudera, with a focus on making better use of available farm resources, improving productivity and creating additional sources of income.
The training programme was conducted from October 29 to 31 at Duke Nagar, under Swadesh Nagar Gram Panchayat, as part of the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’-Rabi 2026 initiative.
The programme focused on the potential of integrating fish farming with other agricultural activities, particularly through the efficient use of ponds and available resources. The approach aims to help farming households diversify their activities, reduce wastage and improve returns from existing agricultural resources.
Resource persons from ICAR-KVK, Nimbudera, and other government departments interacted with participants and highlighted the importance of adopting integrated farming practices suited to local conditions.
A key component of the training was the efficient utilisation of farm resources and recycling of agricultural waste. Instead of treating different farming activities as separate operations, pond-based integrated farming encourages farmers to develop interconnected systems in which resources generated from one activity can support another.
Such practices can help reduce input wastage, improve resource efficiency and create opportunities for farmers to generate income through multiple activities. The programme also highlighted the importance of enhancing overall farm productivity and strengthening livelihood opportunities, particularly for rural households dependent on agriculture.
Participants were also informed about various government schemes and support programmes available for the fisheries sector. Access to such information is important for farmers interested in expanding into aquaculture or incorporating fish farming into their existing agricultural operations.
For small and marginal farming households, diversification can provide an additional source of income and help reduce dependence on a single agricultural activity. Pond-based systems can offer opportunities to combine fisheries with other farm-based activities, depending on land availability, water resources and local conditions.
A total of 25 farmers and farmwomen participated in the programme, gaining exposure to integrated farming concepts and available institutional support.
The involvement of different departmental resource persons also provided participants with an opportunity to understand the technical and institutional assistance available for adopting improved farming practices.
The training was organised as part of ICAR-KVK Nimbudera’s efforts to promote scientific agricultural practices and strengthen farmers’ livelihoods through field-level capacity-building initiatives.
With agriculture and allied activities remaining important sources of livelihood in rural parts of the islands, initiatives encouraging resource recycling, diversification and improved productivity could help farming households make better use of their available resources.
