21 July 2026, Car Nicobar
ICAR–Central Island Agricultural Research Institute-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Nicobar, formally launched the NABARD-sponsored project titled "Boosting Livelihoods and Ensuring Nutritional Security through Horticulture Development in Nicobar" during an inaugural programme held on 21 July 2026 at the field of Mrs. Esther in Big Lapathy Village, Car Nicobar. The initiative aims to strengthen horticulture-based livelihoods and enhance nutritional security among the farming community of the Nicobar Islands through sustainable and climate-resilient interventions.
The programme was graced by Shri Amit Kale, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar District, as the Chief Guest; Shri K. Vijayapandian, General Manager, NABARD, Sri Vijaya Puram, as the Special Guest; and Shri Lionald Nicomed, Chief Captain (CTC), Car Nicobar, as the Guest of Honour. The event was also attended by Shri Rakesh B. Pangat, Deputy General Manager, NABARD; village captains; scientists and staff of ICAR–KVK Nicobar; beneficiary farmers; and other invited dignitaries.
The Chief Guest and other dignitaries inaugurated key project infrastructure established under the initiative, including a polyhouse and a water harvesting structure (Jalkund), and visited the demonstration farm of Mrs. Esther. They appreciated the collaborative efforts of ICAR–KVK Nicobar and NABARD in promoting sustainable horticultural practices for the tribal communities of Nicobar District.
Welcoming the dignitaries and beneficiary farmers, the Senior Scientist & Head, ICAR–KVK Nicobar, presented an overview of the NABARD-sponsored project and highlighted its key objectives. These include promoting horticulture-based livelihood opportunities, enhancing nutritional security among tribal households, introducing improved cultivation technologies, developing climate-resilient farming systems, strengthening farmers' capacities through demonstrations and training programmes, and establishing micro-irrigation systems in farmers' fields to ensure efficient water use and enhance resilience against El Niño-induced dry spells and water scarcity. He emphasized that the project would significantly contribute to improving farmers' incomes, promoting sustainable agricultural development, and enhancing the socio-economic well-being of the tribal communities of the Nicobar Islands.
Addressing the gathering, Shri K. Vijayapandian, General Manager, NABARD, Sri Vijaya Puram, highlighted the strategic importance and practical utility of the project in Car Nicobar. He stated that the initiative has been designed as a location-specific intervention to address the island's unique agro-climatic challenges and possesses strong potential for replication across other tribal villages in the district. He observed that localized models, such as protected cultivation structures and water harvesting units, offer practical and scalable solutions that can be readily adopted by tribal farming households. Appreciating the partnership between NABARD and ICAR–KVK Nicobar, he encouraged farmers to actively participate in the project and adopt improved horticultural technologies for long-term economic self-reliance.
Shri Lionald Nicomed, Chief Captain (CTC), Car Nicobar, appreciated the joint efforts of NABARD and ICAR–KVK Nicobar in launching an initiative focused on strengthening horticulture-based livelihoods and improving nutritional security in the Nicobar Islands.
During the programme, Shri Amit Kale, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar District, and Shri Lionald Nicomed, Chief Captain (CTC), Car Nicobar, distributed horticultural inputs and project materials to the selected beneficiaries, marking the formal commencement of field-level implementation of the NABARD-sponsored project.
In his address, Shri Amit Kale, IAS, congratulated NABARD and ICAR–KVK Nicobar for launching the project and commended the KVK for promoting need-based agricultural interventions for the tribal farming community. He emphasized the importance of expanding the project's outreach to benefit a larger number of farmers, maintaining systematic documentation of project activities and success stories, and promoting the scientific production and value addition of cocopeat in Nicobar to create sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The inaugural programme was organized under the overall guidance of Dr Jai Sunder, Director, ICAR–Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram, whose leadership and guidance were instrumental in the successful planning and execution of the NABARD-sponsored project.
(Source: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram)
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