COCONUT research undertaken in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is emerging as a strategic pillar for strengthening India’s coastal agriculture,conserving vital genetic resources and enhancing farmer livelihoods. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Senior ScientistofIndianCouncilofAgricultural Research – Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR–CIARI) SriVijay Puram Dr Ajit Waman said that coconut forms the backbone of the island economy, playing a critical role in food security, income generation and the traditional livelihoods of both settler and tribal communities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

 

Dr Waman explained that ICAR–CIARI carries out location-specific research tailored to the unique challenges of island and coastal ecosystems, including high humidity, saline soils,cyclonic winds and seasonal freshwater scarcity. He underlined that technologies and varieties developed in Andaman have direct relevance for cyclone-prone coastal states across the country. The World Coconut Germplasm Centre is a globally significant conservation and quarantine facility located at theinstitute. The centre houses coconut genetic material collected from several tropical island nations, including Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and American Samoa.Owing to the geographical isolation of the Andaman and NicobarIslands, the facility functions as a natural quarantine zone, preventing the accidental introduction of pests and diseasesinto India’s major coconut-growing regions, said the Senior Scientist.

 

Drawing from this extensive germ plasm collection, ICAR–CIARI scientists have developed four improved coconut varieties, not able among them the dwarf variety ‘Dwip Annapurna’, which has gained national recognition. The variety combines early bearing with high oil and copra content and exhibits strong resistance to high-velocity winds. Under proper management practices, it begins yielding within four to five years and produces between 70 and 150 nuts per palm annually. Due to its compact stature, Dwip Annapurna significantly reduces harvesting risks and labour costs. The variety is now being adopted in cyclone-prone regions of Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, apart from its extensiveusein theAndamanandNicobar Islands. Explaining varietal characteristics, Dr Wamannoted thatwhile tallcoconutvarieties havealongerlifespan of up toa century and are preferred for large-scale oil production,dwarf varietiesarebettersuited for tender coconut and Neera production owing to ease of harvesting. Neera is the unfermented sap collected hygienically from coconut inflorescences, which is highlighted as a nutritious natural beverage rich in mineralsand natural sugars.

 

Distinguishing it from fermented toddy, Dr Waman stated that Neera, when properly collected, is safe for consumption and even recommended for pregnant women. Integrated coconut-based farming systems have been introduced in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where in crops such as pineapple,clove,blackpepper and vegetables are cultivated beneath coconut palms, significantly enhancingl and productivity and farm income. Despite receiving nearly 3,200 millimetres of annual rainfall, the islands face water scarcity during dry months.To address this challenge, ICAR–CIARI has developed rainwater harvesting ponds across its research farms to capture run off and ensure irrigation support for coconut plantations during lean periods. The institute is taking a comprehensive approach towards conserving coconut diversity,developing climate-resilient varieties and promoting sustainable liveli hoods, observing that Andaman’s coconut research holds long-terms trategic importance for India’s coastal an disland agriculture, he added.