Sri Vijaya Puram, June 5: The Department of Tourism, A&N Administration, in collaboration with the Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), organised a special programme focusing on Agro Tourism as part of its ongoing endeavour to promote sustainable and experience-based tourism in A&N Islands. The program was aimed at raising awareness about the Islands’ unique fruits, flowers and medicinal plant diversity and their potential in enhancing visitor experience through Agro- Eco Tourism.
The event unfolded with a Guided Farm Walk-‘Dweep Agro Eco Walk’ at Sippighat, which was graced by the Secretary (Tourism), Ms. Jyoti Kumari, IAS. The Secretary also participated in the nature trail along with tourism stakeholders and the students from JNRM & ITI and encouraged them to act as the torch bearers for the promotion of Agro- Tourism in A&N Islands. This farm walk offered the students of BBA (Tourism) & BSc. & MSc. students of JNRM and Tourist Guide students of ITI an immersive guided tour through the agricultural landscapes of the region, blending education with recreation besides, showcasing ICAR-CIARI’s research and outreach activities. The ‘Dweep Agro Eco Walk’ serves as an interactive platform to showcase the potential of agro-ecological landscapes for tourism and its potential to promote agro-tourism by attracting travellers interested in sustainable tourism models.
The experts present at the Farm Walk Site through a guided tour, enlightened the students about the processing of the farm products, various species of plants including the medicinal plants and fruit bearing trees as well as the flora & fauna of these emerald Islands, which is also known for its rich & fragile eco-system.
Later, a lecture series was also organized on Agro-Tourism at Dr. T.R. Dutta Conference Hall, CIARI which was participated by Tourism Stakeholders, students and officials from Tourism Department.
Speaking as chief guest, the Director, CIARI i/c, Dr. Jai Sunder, thanked the Tourism Deptt. for organizing such an important event at CIARI which is very relevant in taking forward tourism promotion in Isles in a big way. He said, the Dweep Agro-Eco Walk is an agro-eco-tourism, inaugurated by the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, an initiative launched by ICAR-CIARI and its KVKs in the A&N Islands. It aims to offer a unique experience for visitors to explore the agricultural landscapes and promote sustainable farming practices and biodiversity conservation. The walk provides first hand exposure to innovative farming techniques and research efforts of ICAR-CIARI.
Speaking on the topic ‘Agro Eco Tourism with Special Reference to Horticulture’, Dr. Raj Narayan, Head, Division of Horticulture and Forestry, CIARI gave an overall picture of Horticulture in A&N Islands and the role of CIARI in its further propagation in A&N Islands. He said, Agro-Tourism is another way to generate income from the land and a way to introduce your farm as a brand to the consumers, which could open the door to developing a loyal consumer base for other products, he added.
In his address, Dr. Ramakrishna, Principal Scientist & Head, KVK-South Andaman enlightened the students on the topic ‘Rare and Wild Indigenous Flowers, Fruits and Medicinal Plants of A&N Islands’. There are about 2000 species of flowering plants, of which, nearly 215 are endemic to these Islands. Nearly 110 Orchids species are naturalized here and a total of 47 new Orchids were described in the previous two decades, he said. He suggested incorporating ‘Andaman Flower Festival’ in the calendar of events, which will be an added attraction for the tourists and the islanders alike. He also answered queries regarding the commercial viability of floriculture by the prospective entrepreneurs.
The Agro Eco Walk offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the scenic and research-rich agricultural landscapes of the Islands, while promoting awareness about sustainable farming and biodiversity conservation. Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, inaugurated the Agro-Eco Walk at Sippighat farm, ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram on 18th March, 2025.
At Sippighat Farm, visitors can enjoy a walk through the serene natural surroundings, walk through the spice-based plantation area, and explore the unique World Coconut Germplasm Centre, which conserves a vast collection of coconut varieties. The Spice Processing Unit gives insights into value addition and post-harvest technologies. The Mangrove Viewpoint provides a picturesque glimpse into the Island’s coastal ecosystems, while the Farm Sale Point offers fresh and locally grown produce for purchase. The Agro Eco Walk is open from Monday to Saturday, between 9 am and 5 pm. Entry tickets are available at the Sale Point on the respective farm premises.
Ticket for adult person is Rs 100 and children is Rs 50 (below 18 years age) for individual farm either at Sippigaht farm or Garacharma farm. If combined both farm then Rs 175 for adult and Rs 75 for children. The ticket is inclusive of one complementary drink.