Team Led by Secretary (Cooperation) Assess Pest Infestation in Arecanut Plantations in Little Andaman
Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 16: As per the directions of the Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, a team was constituted to assess pest infestation in Arecanut plantations and to conduct a comprehensive field assessment. The team was also tasked with engaging with PRI Members to discuss developmental issues concerning Little Andaman Island.
The following team members viz. Shri Rajesh Chopra, IAS, Secretary (Cooperation) and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Dr. Apurva Sharma, Director (RD/Panchayats/PRI), Shri Mohit, SMS, KVK, CIARI, SVP; and Shri Navashakti, Assistant Director (Agriculture) visited Little Andaman on 15.10.2025 & 16.10.2025.
The team visited farmers’ fields in V.K. Pur, R.K. Pur, Rabindra Nagar, Netaji Nagar, and Harminder Bay on 15.10.2025 &16.10.2025. Their primary focus was on examining the condition of the farmers’ fields and understanding the extent of pest-related challenges faced by the farmers in these areas.
On 1st day (15.10.2025), the team visited the farmers’ fields of V.K. Pur, Rabindra Nagar, R.K. Pur and engaged in a comprehensive interaction with the local farming community at the Community Hall, V.K .Pur and local markets of Rabindra Nagar and R.K. Pur, which was attended by the Pradhan and PRI members and farmers of the village. The team emphasized the purpose of the visit and underscored the importance of addressing pest infestations, particularly in Arecanut and Coconut plantations, to enhance agricultural productivity and livelihood security.
During this session, valuable insights were obtained regarding the history of pest infestations, ongoing agricultural challenges—particularly in Arecanut and Coconut cultivation—and various developmental issues faced by the villagers of Little Andaman. This session witnessed active participation from local farmers and PRIs.
On the 2nd day (16.10.2025), the team conducted a visit to the Tribal village, Harminder Bay, where they met with the Secretary of the Tribal Council, as well as the 1st and 2nd Captains of the Tribal Council. The Secretary informed that there are no major pests or diseases affecting their coconut plantations, and they do not use any chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Instead, they maintain proper plant-to-plant spacing between the palms, which allows them to achieve a good harvest that is sold to private traders for further utilization.
Subsequently, a field visit was conducted in the farmers’ fields of Netaji Nagar village. Following this, a meeting was held at the Panchayat Samiti in Hut Bay, where Shri. S. Parmanathan, Pramukh of Little Andaman, addressed the gathering. He highlighted the ongoing efforts by the administration to resolve pest-related issues in the Little Andaman zone.
During the discussion, farmers raised concerns regarding inadequate fertilization, delays in the timely supply of fertilizers and other agricultural inputs, and the need for preventive measures to mitigate pest incidences. In response, it was assured that proper Standard Operating Procedures and relevant documents would be prepared by CIARI and the Agriculture Department to address these issues effectively.
In addition, developmental issues were also raised by the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and the local public. One of the primary concerns is the inadequate supply of gas cylinders. Previously, villagers received 12 cylinders per year; however, currently, they are receiving only 6 cylinders annually, leading to considerable inconvenience and also stray cattle menace in all the villages. To address this issue, the team suggested establishing Gowshala and Biogas plants under the MNRE Scheme, which is being implemented by the Rural Development Department. Additionally, the revival of dairy cooperatives was recommended to promote local livelihoods.
Furthermore, PRIs raised the issue of difficulty in getting quarry products for construction, frequent faults in the street lighting system, especially during the rainy season, resulting in prolonged outages and safety concerns. The GI General Sector Fund is insufficient to meet the public demands of the villagers. The condition of the bus stands is also deteriorating; however, due to inadequate funds, repairs are not being carried out. Additionally, there are challenges in paying the electric bills. Moreover, the engineering wing prepares estimates following the DSR 2021 guidelines, whereas the APWD is adhering to the DSR 2023 standards. This discrepancy may affect planning and implementation processes, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts to ensure consistency and efficiency.
All panchayats were also advised to develop their own funds through rental recovery from infrastructure developed by the panchayat to ensure financial sustainability. The team assured to look into the various issues raised by the PRIs and villagers.
The Self-Help Groups (SHGs) were advised to participate in regular training sessions conducted under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to enhance their capacity building. The team concluded that the field assessment aims to accurately gauge the pest and disease challenges faced by the farming community, gather firsthand insights and facilitate direct communication between authorities and farmers, and enable targeted developmental interventions to support sustainable agriculture among farming community.
The Administration remains committed to working closely with farmers to implement effective pest management strategies and ensure the overall well-being of the farming community of the Island.