ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute

A short Course on “Agro-Ecotourism: An emerging enterprise for agricultural Diversification”

    ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Old Goa organized a short Course on “Agro-Ecotourism: An emerging enterprise for agricultural Diversification” sponsored by ICAR. This course was conducted  from 31, October t0 09, November 2016. This was  a 10 days   residential course. This course was   funded by the Education Division of ICAR Head Quarters Delhi as a part of capacity building program for ICAR Scientists and the Faculty of State Agricultural and veterinary Universities. Total 17 participants form 10 states and one Union Territory (A&N Islands) attended the course. Among the participants 11 were representing the state Agriculture and Veterinary Universities, 05 form ICAR Institutes and 01 from CSIR. All the participants were Scientists and Faculty belongs to different disciplines of Agriculture, Veterinary and Fishery Sciences.

The course was inaugurated by Shri. Nilesh Cabral, Hon’ble MLA and Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Cooperation. During the inaugural session, Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director(A), ICAR-CCARI, Old Goa welcomed the guests and the participants. Dr. Narendra Prathap Singh, Director, ICAR-NIASM, Baramati chaired the inaugural session. Dr. R. S. Rajkumar, Scientist and Coordinator of the program briefed the course content and Dr. M. Thangam, Principal Scientist and Coordinator of the program proposed the Vote of thanks.

During the course, the participants were exposed to various topics of agro- ecotourism viz., Basic components of Agro-Ecotourism (AET); Spices, Plantation and Medicinal & Aromatic Crops as a component of AET; Exotic crops ; Minor fruits as nutraceuticals; Traditional flower crops; IPM for insect pests in AET cropping systems; Conservation of animal genetic diversity through agro eco tourism; Organic animal husbandry practices; Post Harvest Management and Value addition; Ornamental Fish Culture techniques; Recreational Fisheries: Deep sea biodiversity and Diving. Field visits were arranged for the trainees to Sahakari Spice farm, Ahire Agro tourism center, Sattari., Dive Goa, Candolim, Shriram Goshala, Valpoi.

             During the valedictory function certificates were distributed to the participants by the Director and training manual was released. The program Concluded on 09-11-2016 with the valedictory function.