Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 16 March 2025
The Department of Fisheries, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, in collaboration with the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) – ACOSTI, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, organised a one-day Training-cum-Orientation Programme on Seaweed Cultivation at the NIOT Campus, Dollygunj. The initiative aimed to promote livelihood opportunities for coastal communities, particularly women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs), through seaweed farming.
A total of 24 SHG women, identified by the Rural Development Department, participated in the programme. The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Ms. Jagtap Kalyani Rajendra, Director of Fisheries; Dr. K. Gopal, Joint Director (Fisheries); Dr. Anbu Rajan Lawrence, Scientist (E), NIOT-ACOSTI; and Ms. Gurjeet Kaur, Block Development Officer, Prothrapur.
In her address, the Director of Fisheries welcomed the attendees and lauded the enthusiasm of SHG members. She highlighted the economic potential of seaweed cultivation and its viability as a sustainable livelihood for coastal communities.
Dr. Anbu Rajan Lawrence emphasized that such training sessions would be conducted periodically to encourage seaweed farming across the Islands. He introduced the NIOT technical team and assured continuous technical assistance for seaweed cultivation.
Ms. Gurjeet Kaur expressed her gratitude to the Department of Fisheries and NIOT-ACOSTI for organizing the programme. She assured the support of the Rural Development Department in promoting commercial seaweed farming through SHGs.
Dr. K. Gopal provided insights into the various applications of seaweed in daily life, including its use in textiles, chocolates, confectionery, and fertilisers. He encouraged participants to take up seaweed cultivation as a viable source of income, highlighting the potential market demand in Mainland India once production scales up.
The training programme featured both theoretical and practical sessions. NIOT scientists covered fundamental concepts and cultivation techniques, focusing on Gracilaria edulis. Participants were taken to the in-house NIOT laboratory for a demonstration on post-harvest processing and product development. Additionally, a field visit to Chidiyatapu was organized, where NIOT experts demonstrated the fabrication of seaweed rafts using the tube-net method and seed inoculation techniques.
The initiative marked a significant step in empowering coastal communities and fostering sustainable aquaculture practices in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. (Story Based on PR)