Port Blair, Oct. 16: In a concerted effort to address pest-related issues in arecanut plantations and review key developmental concerns, a high-level team from the Andaman & Nicobar Administration visited Little Andaman on October 15–16. The visit was conducted as per the directions of the Chief Secretary.
The team included Secretary (Cooperation) and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Director (RD/Panchayats/PRI) and SMS (KVK, CIARI, SVP), among others. They interacted with farmers and PRI members across V.K. Pur, R.K. Pur, Rabindra Nagar, Netaji Nagar, and Harminder Bay.
During field inspections, the team assessed pest infestations in arecanut and coconut plantations and discussed challenges such as delayed fertilizer supply and poor pest management. At V.K. Pur Community Hall, officials urged farmers to adopt preventive practices and assured that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for pest control would soon be prepared jointly by CIARI and the Agriculture Department.
In Harminder Bay Tribal Village, members of the Tribal Council informed that their crops remain largely pest-free due to organic farming and proper spacing between palms. At a meeting in Hut Bay, Pramukh S. Parmanathan highlighted ongoing administrative efforts to support farmers.
Beyond pest concerns, PRIs raised issues including limited LPG supply, stray cattle menace, streetlight failures, and poor infrastructure. The team suggested establishing Gaushalas and biogas units under MNRE schemes, reviving dairy cooperatives, and urging panchayats to generate local revenue for maintenance needs.
The team reaffirmed the Administration’s resolve to work closely with farmers to ensure sustainable agriculture, better pest control, and improved rural amenities across Little Andaman.
