ICAR–CIARI-KVK Nicobar Launches NABARD Sponsored Mission to Enhance Horticulture and Tribal Livelihoods

Sri Vijaya Puram | July 23, 2026

ICAR–Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI)-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Nicobar has launched a NABARD-sponsored undertaking titled “Boosting Livelihoods and Ensuring Nutritional Security through Horticulture Development in Nicobar” to strengthen horticulture-based livelihoods and enhance dietary safety among the many tribal farming neighborhood of the Nicobar Islands.

The inaugural programme was held on July 21 on the subject of Mrs. Esther in Big Lapathy village, Car Nicobar. The occasion was attended by Deputy Commissioner of Nicobar District Amit Kale, IAS, because the Chief Guest, General Manager of NABARD Ok. Vijayapandian because the Special Guest, and Chief Captain (CTC), Car Nicobar, Lionald Nicomed because the Guest of Honour. Also current have been NABARD Deputy General Manager Rakesh B. Pangat, village captains, scientists and workers of ICAR-KVK Nicobar, beneficiary farmers and different invited dignitaries.

During the programme, the dignitaries inaugurated key undertaking infrastructure, together with a polyhouse and a water harvesting construction (Jalkund), and visited the demonstration farm established underneath the undertaking. They appreciated the efforts of ICAR-KVK Nicobar and NABARD in selling sustainable horticultural practices within the tribal areas of Nicobar District.

Welcoming the gathering, Dr. Santosh Kumar, Senior Scientist and Head, ICAR-KVK Nicobar, outlined the targets of the undertaking, which embrace selling horticulture-based livelihood alternatives, enhancing dietary safety, introducing improved cultivation applied sciences, creating climate-resilient farming techniques, strengthening farmers’ capacities by way of demonstrations and coaching programmes, and establishing micro-irrigation techniques to enhance water-use effectivity and handle challenges posed by El Niño-induced dry spells and water shortage.

He mentioned the initiative is predicted to enhance farmers’ earnings, encourage sustainable agricultural improvement and contribute to the socio-economic well-being of tribal communities within the Nicobar Islands.

Addressing the gathering, Ok. Vijayapandian highlighted the undertaking’s location-specific strategy, stating that it has been designed to handle the distinctive agro-climatic circumstances of Car Nicobar and will be replicated in different tribal villages throughout the district. He famous that interventions corresponding to protected cultivation buildings and water harvesting items present sensible and scalable options for tribal farming households. He additionally inspired farmers to actively take part within the undertaking and undertake improved horticultural applied sciences for long-term financial self-reliance.

Chief Captain Lionald Nicomed appreciated the initiative, stating that the undertaking would assist strengthen horticulture-based livelihoods whereas enhancing dietary safety within the Nicobar Islands.

During the programme, Amit Kale and Lionald Nicomed distributed horticultural inputs and undertaking supplies to chose beneficiaries, marking the formal graduation of field-level implementation of the undertaking.

In his handle, Amit Kale congratulated NABARD and ICAR-KVK Nicobar for launching the initiative and appreciated the KVK’s efforts in selling need-based agricultural interventions for the tribal farming neighborhood. He confused the necessity to develop the undertaking’s outreach to learn extra farmers, preserve systematic documentation of undertaking actions and success tales, and promote the scientific manufacturing and worth addition of cocopeat to create sustainable livelihood alternatives in Nicobar.

The programme was organised by ICAR-KVK Nicobar underneath the steering of Dr. Jai Sunder, Director, ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), Sri Vijaya Puram. According to the organisers, his steering performed a key function within the planning and implementation of the NABARD-sponsored undertaking.