Little Andaman, July 31: In a major push toward sustainable agriculture and regional economic development, the Department of Agriculture, Little Andaman zone, launched the ‘Spice Pravah’ plantation drive on July 31, 2025. The initiative aims to expand spice cultivation—particularly black pepper—across the Union Territory, with active participation from farmers, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and field officials.
The programme was formally inaugurated at Ramakrishnapur Gram Panchayat by Shri Parmanathan, Pramukh of the Panchayat Samiti, in the presence of Smti Siuli Mondal, Pradhan of Ramakrishnapur, and Shri Rudramoorty, Pradhan of Hutbay. The event marked a significant step in promoting tree-based spice farming in the island region.
Agriculture Officer Smti Mary Magdalene emphasized the drive’s role in enhancing sustainable practices and improving spice yields. Technical guidance was provided by Shri Dinesh Chandra Das, Agriculture Assistant, who outlined best practices, popular black pepper varieties, and the export potential of locally grown spices.
2,200 rooted black pepper cuttings were planted across 1 hectare of land owned by four beneficiary farmers: Shri Ashok Bachar, Shri Shyamlal Mondal, Shri Kamlesh Mondal, and Shri Noni Gopal Baroi.
An additional 200 saplings were distributed to other farmers to encourage wider adoption. The initiative aligns with the broader SPICE PRAVAH campaign—Spice Promotion by Integrated Cultivation & Enhancement—launched across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands to promote resilient aromatic value chains and holistic farming. Reducing spice imports by boosting domestic production. Creating employment opportunities through agro-based industries. Enhancing market integration and value addition for spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper.
The Department of Agriculture plans to complete the plantation phase by September 2025, with a dedicated monitoring team overseeing post-plantation care. A six-month review will assess progress and impact.
