ORGANIC HORTICULTURE FARM, SIPPIGHAT

 

          The Organic Horticulture Farm under the Department of Agriculture, established in the year 1959, is located at Sippighat, South Andaman. Earlier, the Farm was named as “Soil Conservation Research cum Demonstration Farm” and, later, renamed and declared as “Organic Horticulture Farm” on 23rd October 2003. In the beginning, the Farm had an Area of 4 Hect`s, which has now been extended to about 30 Hect`s. It functions as the Nodal Centre for Organic Cultivation of Spices, Horticulture and Plantation Crops.

          The Andaman and Nicobar islands are bestowed with rich natural resources. The topographical features, the climate regime and the soil characteristics are on which these natural ecosystems are governed. Some parts of Nicobar District are, by default, organic, but in many parts of the Andaman District, consumption of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is increasingly noticed. In order to arrest further deterioration of soil, human health and environment, Organic Farming is the best alternative system of farming, which addresses quality and sustainability in Agriculture.

Details of Farm:

Year of establishment                                  : 1959        

Declared as Organic                                    : 23rd October 2003

Total Area of the Farm                                 : 30.0 Hect.

Area under Cultivation                               : 25.32 Hect.

Area under Nursery                                     : 1.0 Hect.

Area under Infrastructures                          : 1.12 Hect.

Area lying vacant                                        : 2.56 Hect

 

Different Crop Combinations adopted:

          1. Coconut + Clove

          2. Coconut + Nutmeg + Clove

          3. Arecanut + Clove

          4. Arecanut + Clove + Nutmeg

          5. Arecanut + Coconut + Cinnamon

          6. Sapota + Root Crops

          7. Clove + Nutmeg + Pineapple

          8. Arecanut + Clove + Pepper

          9. Papaya + Ginger + Turmeric

          10. Clove + Nutmeg

Area wise Crops Grown:

 

Sl.No.

Crops

Area (Ha)

 

 

1.

Coconut

7.08

 

 

2.

Arecanut

6.78

 

 

3.

Cashew

1.42

 

 

4.

Clove

2.38

 

 

5.

Pepper

0.50

 

 

6.

Nutmeg

0.50

 

 

7.

Cinnamon

0.20

 

 

8.

Sapota

1.30

 

 

9.

Guava

0.05

 

 

10.

Jack fruit

0.82

 

 

11.

Pineapple

0.50

 

 

12.

Banana

0.50

 

 

13.

Papaya

0.50

 

 

14.

Turmeric

0.5

 

 

15.

Aloevera

0.10

 

 

16.

Ornamental  Garden

1.00

 

 

17.

Minor Fruits

1.00

 

 

18.

Other Miscellaneous crops

1.47

 

 


 

 

ON-GOING ACTIVITIES OF THE FARM

·         Demonstration on cultivation of Exotic flowers like Anthurium, Gerbera, Orchids etc., under Poly House condition.

·         Demonstration of Weed and Nutrient Management by Poly-Mulching in Clove under NHM.

·         Demonstration of Vermi-culture under RKVY.

·         Demonstration on establishment of Rose Garden for aesthetic sense and for popularizing commercial cultivation of roses.

·         Successful Demonstration of Organic Cultivation of Spices and other Horticulture Crops.

·         Demonstration of Agro Forestry practices of Plantation based Multi-storied Cropping System.

·         Raising and distribution of quality planting materials of Spices and other Horticulture Crops to the farming communities.

·         Tourists and Guests from mainland and abroad take keen interest to know about the various activities of the farm and also enjoy the organic environment of the farm. On an average 6500 visitors visit the farm on yearly basis.