The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture launched a novel initiative of ‘student and farmer custodian’ for the trees planted in the office campus in connection with the Nation-wide campaign on Poshan Vatika and tree plantation to celebrate the India sponsored UN declaration of International Year of Millets 2023 on nutri-garden and tree plantation on 17th September, 2021. All the scientists, staff and farmer beneficiaries including kanyas/women viewed the virtual inauguration programme by Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar, Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India at 10.30 AM. Web telecast of ICAR-IIMR event on “Nutri-cereals Multi-stakeholders Mega convention, and Poshan Vatika and Tree plantation Campaign event for International Year of Millets 2023” was telecasted to the participants in the forenoon session. In the afternoon, Poshan Vatika and Tree plantation program was organised simultaneously, at ICAR-CIBA headquarters and its research centres at Muttukadu, Kovalam (Tamil Nadu), Kakdwip (West Bengal) and Navsari (Gujarat). At Kovalam, Dr. S. Kannappan, Principal Scientist and SIC welcomed the gathering. In his presidential address, Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Director, ICAR-CIBA emphasized on ‘importance of millets’, green campus, conservation of natural resources and ecosystem among the participants. He also stressed upon to create awareness among the public on health aspects of millets and to protect the plantations and enhance tree coverage in their neighbourhood. Dr. K. Ambasankar, Principal Scientist explained about the installation of backyard aquaculture cum nutri-garden activity and its role in nutritional security. A total of 191 tree saplings such as coconut (Cocos nucifera), tamarind (Tamarindus indica), jamun (Syzygium cumini), cherry (Prunus avium), almond (Prunus dulcis), sweet lime (Citrus limetta), pomelo (Citrus maxima), pomegranate (Punica granatum), amla (Phyllanthus emblica), mango (Mangifera indica), athi (Ficus carica), guava (Psidium guajava), jack fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), wax apple (Syzygium samarangense) and sapota (Manilkara zapota) were planted with active participation of 171 farmers including 71 kanyas/women of many tribal self-help groups (SHGs), 40 students, scientists and staff. It was also decided that those students/ farmers who have planted these trees will maintain and monitor their growth. Special snacks, health drinks and biscuits prepared from finger millets (Ragi) and pearl millets (Bajra) were distributed at the event for creating awareness on millets. The program ended with vote of thanks and take home message of including millets in daily diet by the co-ordinator of the program, Dr. R. Ananda Raja, Senior Scientist. Dr. D. Debasis De, Shri. Sandeep. K.P, Shri Tanveer Hussain, Shri Jose Antony and their teams respectively organized the event at KRC Kakdwip, MES, Muttukadu and NGRC Navsari. The program was organized at the institutional premises adhering COVID-19 guidelines.
