“Tuber Crops Diversity Fair” organized

30th March, 2022, Port Blair

The ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands organized the “Tuber Crops Diversity Fair” at Sippighat, Port Blair here today.

Dr. Eknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair highlighted the scope of the marketing and value-addition opportunities in the Tuber Crops. Dr. Chakurkar urged the farmers for utilizing the improved technologies available with the Institute and the All India Coordinated Research Project on Tuber Crops for incorporating the successful Tuber Crops cultivation in island cropping / farming systems.

Dr. B.A. Jerard, Head, Horticulture & Forestry Division, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair underlined the types of Tuber Crop diversity in the islands including the different species, unique collections made by the Institute, role of AICRP on Tuber Crops in conservation & utilization of Tuber Genetic Resources and their climate-resilience status of Tuber Crops in ensuring the food and livelihood security in the remote places, etc.

Dr. Y. Ramakrishna, Head, KVK, South Andaman, Andaman & Nicobar Islands stressed on the need for diversifying the island farming system with the Tuber Crops that has the to enhance the income and employment generation.

The Fair was aimed to enhance the awareness on the Tuber Crops’ Wealth of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and sensitize the farmers on the potentials of the Tropical Tubers in enhancing the livelihood security under the All India Coordinated Project on Tuber Crops with the collaboration of ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, South Andaman.

The Fair registered participation by about 80 Farmers and 25 School Children.

(Source: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands)