In Andaman and Nicobar islands, the developmental works under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Assurance Programme popularly known as MGNREGA are in full swing in the remote areas even during the rainy season. AIR correspondent after his visit to the northern most island, Diglipur reports that despite heavy rain innovative horticultural works are being executed under NREGA with gainful employment to a number of farmers there. For the very first time in the islands, the farmers have been trained in an innovative horticultural programme to develop the wastelands in diglipur area under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA programme. The Assistant Commissioner of the area Shri Sanjai Kumar told initially the programme has been launched in 15 Gram Panchayats with good response from the farmers.Under the programme, the lands of poor and marginal farmers were selected for improvement and plantation of cashew nuts Aricanuts spices, seasonal vegetables and fruits like orange. The results were highly encouraging in many panchayats as the villagers are very enthusiastic in developing their own lands that too with regular income under NREGA during the lean season. In Keralaputari panchayat here. The lands belonging to the 35 farmers already developed well plantation of commercial crops and thereby ensuring high status of the farmers. During the current financial year about 1.5 crore rupees have been paid so far as wages to the job card holders under MG NREGA in Diglipur area.