Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan. 24: NABARD, Andaman & Nicobar Regional Office organized a celebratory event today for conferring first 7 GI Certificates to applicants, successful completion of digitization of all PACS and the three Farmer Producers Companies achieving milestone of 100 members each and also for the launch of UT Focus Paper 2025-26. The event was graced by Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration as chief guest and Prof. (Dr) Unnat Pandit, Controller General, PDTM & Registrar of Copyrights and GI as special guest. Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Dr. Satyendra Singh Dursawat, IAS, Secretary to LG and Industries, Smti Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, Secretary, Agriculture, Smti Richa, Secretary-in-Charge (Coop.-cum-RCS), Dr. Vinod Kumar Mudumala, Zonal Director, Fishery Survey of India and Smti Archana Singh, General Manager, NABARD.
The Chief Secretary lauded the efforts of NABARD in facilitating to achieve the first 7 GI registration in the Islands viz. Nicobari Mat, A&N Coconut, Nicobari Virgin Coconut Oil promoted by Tribal Development Cooperative Society Ltd., Nicobari Hodi and Padauk furniture & craft promoted by Tribal Development Council, Nicobari Hut promoted by Sahara Women’s Marketing Cooperative Society. Ltd., Andaman Karen Musley Rice promoted by Centre for Participatory Training and Learning.
The Chief Secretary and Controller General, PDTM & Registrar of Copyrights and GI, felicitated all the 46 PACS of the Islands (16 from South Andaman, 28 from North & Middle Andaman and 2 from Nicobar district) which have reached the ‘ePACS ready’ stage in the digitization process, wherein NABARD has played an enabling role as the implementing agency under the aegis of Ministry of Cooperation, Govt. of India.
The Chief Secretary released the UT Focus Paper 2025-26 and appreciated the efforts of NABARD for bringing out the valuable document. The potential in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are projected at ₹2172.83 crore for the Priority Sector activities. The Banks were urged to explore the potential available in various priority sectors so as to ensure that the benefit reaches to the people in the Islands.
Prof. (Dr.) Unnat Pandit commended the efforts of NABARD in opening the pathway of GI registry in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. He urged NABARD to explore possibility of bringing more such products under the tag of GI from the Islands.
Earlier, Smti Archana Singh, GM, NABARD welcomed the gathering and thanked the dignitaries, applicants of GI, PACS Officials, Bankers and other stakeholders.
Three Farmers Producer Companies and the representative of Hand in Hand India as CBBO, mentoring these FPOs supported by NABARD were also felicitated on achieving more than 100 membership. (Andaman Krishak Producer Company Ltd, Ferrargunj- 100 members; Andaman Agriculture Producer Company Ltd, Prothrapur-150 members; Andaman Horticulture Producer Company Ltd, Rangat-104 members). The programme ended with the vote of thanks by Shri E Prathap, Asst. General Manager, NABARD, Sri Vijaya Puram.