NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE KHARIF CAMPAIGN – 2014

1. NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE KHARIF CAMPAIGN – 2014 Department of Agriculture Andaman and Nicobar Administration

2. GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRO CLIMATIC DATA AND LAND AVAILABLE • A) Geographical Data • Physiography - Rolling with hilly & flat land • Total Geographical Area - 8249 sq.km. • Agro climatic Zone - 1 Area………………………………………….. • Under Agriculture - 50,000 ha. (Approxi.) Location……………………………………… Bay of Bengal • Longitude - 930 to 940 E • Latitude - 60 to 140 N B) Agro Climate………………………………………. • Climate - Tropical Humid • Rainfall (Average) per annum - 3000 to 3500 mm • Maximum Temperature (Average) - 31.70C • Minimum Temperature (Average) - 22.10C • Relative Humidity - 85%

3. SOILS ARE IDENTIFIED IN DOMINANT SIX PHYSIOGRAPHIC UNIT Hilly terrain with escarpments/valleys. Rolling to undulating land with sporadic hillocks/mound. Valley Big Nallah and Nallah alluvium Coastal alluvium Coastal plain Nature Heterogeneous -Sandy to heavy clay pH – 3.75 to 7.5 Organic Carbon - Low to medium Nitrogen - Low to medium Phosphorus - Low to medium Potassium - Medium Soil Condition in hilly lands - Highly to moderately eroded

4. MAJOR CROPS GROWN (AREA AND PRODUCTION)

5. AGRICULTURE IN ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS • Andaman and Nicobar Islands is situated in the tropical rainfall belt, agricultural operation in these islands are carried out under rainfed conditions. • Out of the total geographical area of 8249 sq.km of the Islands, about 90% of land is still covered under forest including deemed forest. • The area under agriculture accounts to 6% of the total area i.e. 50,000 ha, out of which 4206 ha are under permanent submergence. • Irrigation facilities is limited, paddy cultivation has its own limitations. • Proper utilization of the hilly lands available with the farmers is the main thrust area for the improvement of the economy of the farmers.

6. Achievements Rabi Campaign - 2013 • Rabi Campaign was conducted throughout the Islands to create awareness on recommended package of practices of pulses, oilseeds and vegetables to bring maximum area under these crops. • Various agriculture inputs in adequate quantity made available to the farmers at subsidized rates. • Timely and balanced use of fertilizers alongwith organic manure and micro nutrients was also advised. • During Rabi – 2013 , 110. 5 MT pulses, 10 MT oilseed, 28580 MT vegetables were produced covering an area of 850 ha, 85.5 ha and 3750 ha respectively. • 1.5 MT pulses seeds and 1.5 MT oilseeds were procured from NSC and distributed to the farmers. • Planting materials in sufficient quantity was made available to the farmers alongwith the required fertilizers and other agriculture inputs on subsidized rates.

7. Prospects for Kharif 2014 • Kharif Campaign with the main theme of 100% seed treatment is being organized in three Districts viz South Andaman, North & Middle Andaman and Nicobar District. • Awareness programmes to educate and motivate the farmers to achieve 70% seed treatment in paddy is also being organized. • High Yielding Variety of seed paddy featuring early maturity and good yield is being procured from NSC and other reputed firms. Good quality seeds produced in the departmental farms alongwith HYV seeds procured from NSC will be distributed to the farmers for ensuing Kharif. • Timely and balanced use of fertilizers alongwith organic manure and micro nutrients will be advocated in all zones. • Various agriculture inputs in adequate quantities will be made available to the farmers at subsidized rates.

8. Issues • Subsidy pattern under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes to be enhanced from the current level of 50% to 65% for Port Blair upto South Andaman, 75% for North and Middle Andaman, Neil Havelock & Little Andaman and 50% for Nicobar group of Islands upto Campbell Bay.

9. Thank You