Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 10: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram has been in the pursuit to provide remunerative options for farmers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In one such pioneering effort, a distillation facility for extraction of essential oil has been created under CSS-MIDH (NHM) Project on Spices of the institute.
As a part of the Khet Bachao Abhiyan, an exposure visit cum training programme was conducted on the theme ‘Systematic Cultivation and Value Addition Opportunities in Spice and Plantation Crops’ on November 9, 2026 under CSS-MIDH (NHM) Project on Spices and AICRP on Plantation Crops Project. The prime purpose of the programme was to provide an overview of the scientific management of spices and plantation crops. The programme started at the Horticulture Research Farm, Sippighat wherein live demonstrations were conducted by Dr. Ajit Arun Waman and Dr. Pooja Bohra, Senior Scientists and Course Directors about scientific cinnamon harvesting using Dweep CinnRub, coconut dehusking using mechanical dehusker and coconut climbing device. Further, nursery raising in coconut, improved varieties, various plantation based intercropping systems, harvesting and postharvest management in spices were shown in the field. The farmers were educated about integrating farming with tourism through agroecotourism options.
During the second session, farmers visited Field Distillation Unit of the institute where distillation of essential oil was demonstrated to them followed by their packaging and uses. Farmers were also demonstrated the techniques of grafting for obtaining quality planting material in dioecious and perennial horticultural crops and protected cultivation of woody pepper. In the valedictory session of the event, Dr. Jai Sunder, Director (A), ICAR-CIARI declared the distillation facility as an incubation facility for the island stakeholders in the presence of Dr. Raj Narayan, Head (Horticulture). He informed that interested people can bring their quality raw material of spices and aromatic plants at the Bathu Basti campus of the institute and get the oil distilled at a nominal charge of Rs. 100/- per batch. Dr. Sunder urged the participants to utilize the facility for diversifying their income avenues through value addition technologies. The programme was attended by 40 female and 21 male participants from nine villages of South Andaman Island which was coordinated by Shri. T. Yaghambaram, Pradhan, Calicut, Smti. Ramya, PRI Member, Fr. Arokyasamy, DISHA-SURABI and Ms. Baby Rani Biswas, ATMA, with institute staff- Mr. Ujjwal Kumar, Ms. Shyamlawathi, Mr. Dilip Kumar and Mr. Sandeep Kujur.