Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 4: World Coconut Day was celebrated at the Horticulture Research Farm, Sippighat of ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri VijayaPuram on September 4, 2025under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Plantation Crops. The day is celebrated every year on September 2 throughout the world in order to highlight the significance of coconut in the livelihood security of the farming community. In order to create awareness about various means of livelihood security using coconut and allied aspects, the programme was organized with the theme ‘Uncovering Coconut’s Power, Inspiring Global Action’.
During the programme, Dr. Ajit Arun Waman, Senior Scientist and Principal Investigator of the project, welcomed the participants and briefed them about the purpose of the programme. The participants were then taken on the visit to the Dweep Agro Eco Walkin which prospects of coconut based agro-ecotourism under island conditions were demonstrated to them. The participants were educated about various coconut-based cropping system models covering intercrops such as cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, black pepper, rhizomatous spices, elephant foot yam, banana, pineapple and ornamental plants to increase the farm income. Further, to showcase the diversity of coconut conserved at the farm, they were given exposure about the World Coconut Germplasm Centre of the Institute.
During the field visits, practical demonstrations on the use of pheromones for monitoring and management of rhinocerous beetle in coconut, water conservation structures, use of geo-textiles for conservation of soil in fragile lands, use of DweepCinnRub for harvesting of cinnamon, etc. were given to the participants. Twenty-three women including members of ten self-help groups, students and young enthusiasts attended the event. The programme ended with distribution of planting material of improved variety DweepHaritha developed by ICAR-CIARI. The event was organized under the guidance of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI and coordinated by Mr. Michael, Director, DISHA, South Andaman, Mr. Ujjawal Kumar and Mr. T.A. Kumar Tirkey, ICAR-CIARI.