India launches 30,000-tonne seaweed farming initiative

Published 2021년 9월 6일

Tridge summary

The Lakshadweep islands are developing seaweed farming as a new source of livelihood and economic growth, following studies that show potential for high-value production. The initiative, which has started in nine islands and benefits 100 families, has the support of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and has the potential to produce 30,000 tonnes of dry seaweed per year, worth Rs 75 crore. The farming of seaweed is expected to sequester 6500 tonnes of carbon dioxide per day and provide a climate-resilient livelihood to the islanders. The project involves collaboration between the Lakshadweep administration and CMFRI, and focuses on popularising seaweed farming, capacity building, and assessing the potential for a sustainable seaweed farming enterprise.

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Original content

The administration of the islands has prioritised seaweed farming as the next major development driver of the islands, after fisheries, coconut and tourism. This has kicked off by a massive demonstration farming project, which has now been launched in nine of the archipelago’s inhabited islands, with the technical support of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). The initiative follows CMFRI studies that “revealed immense potential for production of quality seaweeds in serene and pollution-free lagoons of Lakshadweep for high-end utilisation like the pharmaceuticals, food and nutraceuticals”, according to the institute. The indigenous red algae, Gracilaria edulis and Acanthophora spicifera are the species being farmed in nearly 2500 bamboo rafts, benefitting 100 families belonging to 10 women self-help groups in different islands. “Known for its unique tuna fisheries and myriads of beautiful corals, reef fishes and other creatures, now the marine sphere of ...

Source: Thefishsite