ICAR-CCARI Farmers Honored with IARI Innovative Farmer Award 2024 for Agro-Eco-Tourism and Integrated Farming Innovations

Two progressive farmers from ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI), Goa, have been honored with the prestigious IARI–Innovative Farmer Award for 2024 by ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The award ceremony, held on June 6, 2024, recognized their exemplary contributions to agro-eco-tourism and integrated farming practices.

N.K. Kurian, the Managing Director of Mango Meadows, received acclaim for his pioneering work in agro-eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation. Spanning 30 acres, Mango Meadows stands as the world's largest agricultural theme park, preserving an impressive array of 4 lakh trees, 4,800 plant species, 64 fish species, and diverse livestock.

Beyond its ecological significance, the park serves as an educational hub, enlightening children on food sources and drawing researchers and students to study its conserved flora and fauna. Employing over 300 individuals, it exemplifies sustainable practices while showcasing India's rich biodiversity.

Anita Mathew was also lauded for her innovative fish-livestock-horticulture-based integrated farming system, which has inspired numerous young entrepreneurs in Goa to embrace climate-resilient agricultural methods. Her approach not only promises financial gains but also contributes significantly to social and environmental sustainability, charting a path towards a more resilient and prosperous agricultural future.

Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director of ICAR-CCARI, Goa, and his team played a pivotal role in documenting these groundbreaking technologies with comprehensive photographic evidence, culminating in their successful application for the esteemed IARI-Innovative Farmer Award 2024.