CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR), in collaboration with Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), and Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM) jointly organized a two-day Workshop cum Training on “Making Value Added Products Using CSIR Technologies in Andaman Region” at Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM), Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands from 11-12 January 2024.

The workshop aimed towards providing training and exposure to farmers and women self-help groups (SHGs) and aspiring entrepreneurs on CSIR Technologies like making value added products from Pandanusfruitusing technology developed by CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT); Decentralized Solar Thermal Dryer for Hygienic Drying of Food Products developed by CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Dehumidified Dryer Technology by CSIR-NIIST Trivandrum and Managing Fungus Problems in Betel Nuts technology developed by CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT). The program also provided exposure to participants about CSIR AROMA & Floriculture Mission and various schemes of DSIR. They were also told about how to write effective project proposals for funding from Government Organizations like NABARD.  Presentations were also made about various initiatives being undertaken under UnnatBharataAbhiyan coordinated by IIT Delhi.  In the concluding session Dr. Archna Singh, General Manager informed about the achievements of NABARD and its initiatives for rural development in various areas of Andamans& Nicobar islands.

The inaugural session was graced by Sh. Vikram Singh, (DANICS)Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dr. Hemant Kumar Sharma, Principal, Jawahar Lal Nehru RajkeeyaMahavidalya. Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, Dr Sujata Chaklanobis, Head A2K division DSIR, Prof. Vivek Kumar, National Co-Coordinator, UBA, IIT Delhi, Shree Shreeprasad, VIBHA also addressed the gathering.

The event witnessed an over whelming participation of more than 90 locals participants. The participation was dominated by young women aspiring entrepreneurs, SHGs, FPOs etc. The event commenced with a welcome address by DrKandimuthu, Local coordinator of UBA, Port Blair. The audience was briefed by Dr Yogesh Suman, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR. He discussed about the importance of the efforts being made jointly by these organization to create livelihood in rural areas by using CSIR technologies. He briefly informed the audience about the technologies identified to address the concerns of locals of Andaman region.Dr Hemant Kumar Sharma, Principal, JNRM appreciated the efforts taken by CSIR which will help to create livelihood opportunities in their region.

Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR joined the event online and briefed the audience about the mandate & vision of CSIR-NIScPR. She highlighted various technologies developed by CSIR which are suitable for rural livelihood generation. She also mentioned how at grassroot level CSIR can help Science to connect with society. The gathering was later address by Prof. Vivek Kumar, National Co-coordinator, UBA. He explained about the UBA & how it is progressing towards creating AtmaNirbhar Bharat.

Dr Sujata Chaklonabis, Advisor and Head, A2K Programme, DSIR discussed about various schemes of DSIR relevant to rural development. Shri SreeprasadMK, VIBHA discussed about the contribution of VIBHA in rural development and shared his experience in Andaman and Nicobar. Dr.  Nagesh Ram, Senior Scientist and Head, ICAR (retd.) asserted that the fish product oriented technologies would be helpful for the development Andaman region. Dr Shiv Narayan Nishad, Senior Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR delivered the vote of thanks and Ms MeetaliBharati anchored the sessions. .

In the technical session, Dr. Mahesh Gupta, Principal Scientist, CSIR-IHBT, discussed in detail about the value added products that could be made from Pandanus fruits.He mentioned that the Pandanus fruit, which is a natural produce in Andaman region, has multiple value added products. He described the nutritional facts of the value added products..

Dr. SubarnaMaiti, Senior Principal Scientist, CSMCRI, talked about decentralized applications of solar thermal energy for livelihood expansion & sustainability. She emphasized that their technology preserves seasonal surpluses of fruits and vegetables, also enables selling dried commodities at higher quality and fetching better prices. Dr. Bhupendra Kumar Markam, Senior Scientist, CSIR-CSMCRI briefed the audience about demonstrations of CSIR-CSMCRI solar thermal dryers for fish drying at Gogha fishing village and Talaja, Gujarat and on field on-field demonstration at Guwahati- under funding from the North-East Centre For Technology Application & Reach (NECTAR).

Dr. K. Suresh Babu, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR- IICT, mentioned in detail about medicinal flora used by indigenous tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands for their therapeutic potentials. He briefed the audience with different applications of natural products and why herbal/natural products should be used.

Day two of the event began with the technical session by Dr. V. Venugopalan, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIIST. He elaborated on the R & D highlights of CSIR-NIIST in agro processing. He introduced the audience with the dehumidifier drier for food/agro technology. This technology involves low temperature and uniform drying/heating of the fruit/vegetables ensuring retention of micronutrients and also it is energy efficient.

Dr. D.Shailaja, Chief Scientist, CSIR-IICT discussedabout social entrepreneurship and dissemination of technologies at grass root level. She briefed the audience about various technologies that they have successfully disseminated at grassroot level like generic drugs, value addition of degradable household and municipal waste, Cascaded membrane and resin filter for production of demineralized water, indigenous atmospheric water generator suitable for islands, sustainable agriculture etc.

Dr. M. P. Darokar, Chief Scientist, Technology Management Directorate, CSIR gave an overview of CSIR-AROMA and floriculture mission for uplifting lives through S & T interventions. He briefly addressed the audience with the uses of aroma oils and how its market is expanding in India.

Dr. Vipin Shukla, Scientist-G, DSIR elaborated on how to formulate a good project proposal and gave an overview of DSIR schemes and initiatives for upliftment of people in rural areas.

Dr. Vinayak, Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR introduced the audience with the KISAN SabhaMobile  App.

For the valedictory session, Smt. Archana Singh, General Manager, NABARD highlighted the Growth and expansion of SHGs. She acknowledged the efforts of CSIR, UBA, DSIR and JNRM for successfully organizing the two day training program. The knowledge gained during this training program will definitely help the participants to become an entrepreneur.

The event concluded with the distribution of certificates of participation and the final remarks were given by Dr. Hemant Kumar Sharma.

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