Port Blair, July 9: The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, today visited the Organic Horticulture Farm (Spice Garden) of Agriculture Department at Sippighat. He was accompanied by Shri Devesh Chandra Srivastva, IPS, Director General of Police, A&N Islands. The purpose of the visit was to observe the developments in spice cultivation, organic farming and emergence of Sippighat as an Eco-Tourism site in A&N Islands. The Director of Agriculture, Shri Vikram Singh, DANICS, and Dr. Ajit Arun Waman, Scientist, CIARI, Port Blair welcomed them.
During the visit, they visited the Medicinal Garden (plants used by different tribes), newly constructed Tissue Culture Laboratory, Integrated Fish- Agri pond. The Director (Agriculture) apprised the Chief Secretary about integrated fish farming pond with a capacity to hold 25 lakh liters of water and Agri-Tourism Circuit being developed there. Tourists can enjoy fishing (angeling), visit the Spice Garden, mountain cycling, bird watching, and 2 km trekking amid picturesque Spice Garden, resting & recreational points.
Dr. Ajit Arun Waman, Scientist, CIARI under whose technical guidance and consultancy the Tissue Culture Lab was established at OHF Sippighat, apprised the Chief Secretary about the Tissue Culture Laboratory and the technical aspect of functioning of Tissue Culture Lab such as Lab machineries, feasibility and way forward. The Department of Agriculture is thankful to CIARI for imparting consultancy, support and cooperation in various activities.
Shri Ramesh, Joint Director of Agriculture apprised the Chief Secretary about the 50,000 nos. of plant saplings of various fruits, medicinal and ornamental crops being sold to the farmers and general public on nominal rate.
In another event during the visit, the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police and Sr. Scientist, CIARI launched Flagship program posters of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana and Kisan Credit Card.
The Chief Secretary also visited the Medicinal Garden, where plants used by Island Tribes like Jarawas, Shompens, Onges, Andamanese, Nicobaris, etc. were displayed. The Chief Secretary took keen interest and appreciated the Agriculture Department for maintaining and displaying such medicinal plants. He also instructed the Department to create awareness among farmers to produce such plants and distribute them to farmers and the general public.
Thereafter, the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police visited Sales Outlet Unit of SHG setup in the Organic Horticulture Farm premises. Shri Aditya Kumar Asthana, DANICS, Director (RD) welcomed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police at the Sales Outlet Unit named ‘MITRANCHAL’ and they inaugurated the stalls by cutting the ribbon. The Chief Secretary also interacted with the members of the Self Help Group and took keen interest in the various products displayed by them. The Chief Secretary and Director General of Police made the first purchase of products from the SHGs and appreciated the overall efforts taken by the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.