ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram Inspires Teachers and Students Through Hands-on Learning in Agriculture and Biodiversity

23 September 2206, Sri Vijaya Puram

A group of 60 teachers from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands visited ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman & Nicobar Islands today as part of the Practical Skill Training Programme for Master Trainers in Vocational Education. The skill-based learning component of the programme was focused on the domain “Work with Life Form,” with an emphasis on practical exposure and experiential learning. During the visit, the teachers were provided opportunities to gain hands-on knowledge related to nature, plants, agriculture, gardening, plant care, animal care, and other allied agricultural activities, thereby enhancing their practical understanding and skills for effective vocational education and training.

The participants received hands-on training on various aspects of animal science and allied agricultural practices. The training included practical demonstrations on animal biometry, vaccination, estimation of animal body weight, egg handling, and lactometer reading of milk. The participants were also introduced to the low-cost brooder system and biosecurity measures, along with demonstrations on fodder field management, the concept of balanced feed, and proximate analysis of food samples. These practical sessions provided valuable experiential learning and enhanced the participants’ understanding of scientific and cost-effective approaches to animal husbandry and livestock management.

The participants were also provided with detailed information on underutilized fruits and their potential importance in horticulture and livelihood development. Various grafting techniques were explained and demonstrated at the Horticulture Propagation Unit. The session provided hands-on exposure to plant propagation practices and enhanced the participants’ understanding of the conservation, multiplication, and utilization of diverse fruit crops for sustainable horticultural production.

On 24 September 2026, a group of 70 students from Classes VIII, IX and XI of Kamaraj English Medium School, Sri Vijaya Puram, visited ICAR-CIARI with the objective of gaining knowledge and awareness about biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and various allied agricultural practices. During the visit, the students interacted with experts and gained valuable insights through informative discussions and practical demonstrations.

The students were briefed on fish biodiversity and its importance in aquatic ecosystems, as well as the diversity of horticultural crops and medicinal plants and their significance for sustainable agriculture and human well-being. They were also introduced to integrated farming systems, vermicomposting and the recycling of farm resources, with emphasis on the efficient utilization of available resources with minimal external inputs. The functioning and importance of the meteorological station and its role in agricultural planning and decision-making were also explained.

The visit further provided the students with an understanding of ecosystems and their interrelationships, plant propagation techniques, and the importance of biodiversity conservation. Overall, the programme offered an enriching and interactive learning experience, enabling the students to connect classroom concepts with practical applications in agriculture, environment and natural resource management.

The programme was organised under the leadership and guidance of Dr. Jai Sunder, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.

(Source: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman & Nicobar Islands)