Farmers outreach programme conducted by UTLA

         Farmers Outreach Programme Conducted by UTLA 

Kavaratti : A Farmers’ Outreach Programme was held by the Department of Agriculture, UTLA on 24th  May 2022. The programme marked the initiation of Nutri- a garden project by the Department of Agriculture under which the objective is to diversify the nutritional intake of the islanders in terms of fruits and vegetables and also to reduce the dependency of Lakshadweep on the mainland as far as horticulture produce is concerned.

            The Chief Guest was warmly welcomed by the President, Secretary and members of the Organic Coconut Producers Society Kavaratti. The programme started with prayer. The Secretary (Agriculture) UTL in his brief welcome speech introduced the features of programme like it would be run in three phases. The first phase being pre-monsoon the crops such as Bhindi, Tomato, Chilli, Cowpea, Palak, and Brinjal seeds and fruit saplings such as Mango, Sapota, Pomegranate, Guava and Arecanut will be provided to the farmers. During the post-monsoon 2nd phase and 3rd phase, seeds such as curry leaf, drumstick, brinjal, watermelon, musk melon, beans, cucumber etc. will be provided.                    The programme was inaugurated by Hon’ble Administrator UTL by providing vegetable seeds and seedlings to five progressive farmers of Kavaratti Island. About 300 farmers attended the function at the Botanical Garden, Kavaratti. During the auspicious occasion, the farmers were provided with seeds and seedling kits that included 7 varieties of vegetable seeds (Bhindi, Tomato, Chilli, Cowpea, Palak, Brinjal, and Papaya) and fruit seedlings.

  Hon’ble Administrator addressed the gathering and graced the event with his advice and valuable suggestions. He expressed his concern about the problems that the people in Lakshadweep faced and assured of an early solution. He advised the officials of Lakshadweep Administration for taking more efforts and hard work to make Lakshadweep more progressive and Atma Nirbhar. He underlined the difficulty faced by the people of Lakshadweep in many sectors such as journey to the mainland and non availability of good quality vegetables and fruits in local markets etc. He directed the officials concerned to give priority to the students and patients  during ticket issuing by the Port Department. He appealed the farmers to diversify farming and take  up value additions enterprises based on coconut and maintain the coconut health by proper and timely harvest. Self sufficiency in fruits and vegetable production is the aim of the administration. Hon’ble Administrator entrusted Department of Agriculture to bring more good quality seedlings for distribution to the farmers of all the Islands during coming days.

                Hon’ble Administrator also assured that any kind of corruption would not be tolerated and the officials involving in such activities will be strictly punished. He also alerted the public to approach him directly if they find any corruption incidents.

            The event was telecast live in various other islands also   at the same time seed distribution was conducted to the farmers in other islands by Unit in charges of AD Unit in collaboration with  DC office.

   Hon’ble Administrator UTL interacted with farmers and sea weed cultivators and listened to the grievances of the public and farmers. The programme concluded with National Anthem.