Port Blair, Sept. 24: ICAR - Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) conducted a training on “Value addition of flower crops” on 20.09.2018 at Herpatabad.  The training programme was inaugurated by Shri. Mahadev Majhi, Pradhan, Collinpur Panchayat in the community hall of Herpatabad village which was  conducted by the MGMG team consisting of Dr, R. K. Gautam, Principal Scientist, Dr. V. Baskaran, Principal Scientist, Dr.K. Sakthivel, Scientist and Mr. Shyam Sunder Rao, Technical Assistant.  There were about 50 participants consisting of men and women farmers.

The team leader Dr, R. K. Gautam, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIARI apprised the gathering about the importance of MGMG programme, the requirement of farmers and the various activities undertaken by ICAR-CIARI. Dr. V. Baskaran, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIARI explained in detail about the cultivation of flower crops like Marigold, China aster and Heliconia in the Islands. Awareness about the different value addition techniques were briefed to the farmers and the technologies for making it as one of their livelihood options were described. The participants were given demonstration on bouquet making and flower arrangement using local flower crops of the Islands along with hands on practice. The participants were eager to learn the technology and planting material of marigold was distributed to the farmers for growing in their backyard. Moreover as  per the requirement of the farmers, planting material of marigold would be multiplied and supplied to farmers. At the   end vote of thanks was   proposed by Mr Shyam Sundar Rao, Technical Assistant, ICAR-CIARI.

The above  programme was conducted under the supervision and guidance of Dr. A. Kundu, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.