Latest news with #Kappaphycusalvarezii
New Indian Express
6 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Tube-net seaweed farming takes root along AP coast
VISAKHAPATNAM: Seaweed farming is gaining popularity along Andhra Pradesh coast as an emerging livelihood, and sustainable marine practice that boosts coastal productivity. Known as the 'Medical Food of the 21st Century', seaweed offers health benefits, and industrial uses ranging from pharmaceuticals to food additives. Despite its potential, commercial seaweed farming in India's open seas remains limited due to strong wave action and environmental factors. Traditional bamboo raft-based mono-line farming, suitable for shallow, calm waters, often fails in rougher coastal areas. To overcome this, scientists have developed a tube net-based farming method using floating high-density polyethylene (HDPE) rafts with a multipoint mooring system. Speaking to TNIE, Joe K Kizhakudan, Principal Scientist and Head of ICAR-CMFRI's Visakhapatnam Regional Centre, said this system has shown structural stability and better yield in turbulent waters up to 10 metres deep. Trials using Kappaphycus alvarezii off Visakhapatnam coast proved successful. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the government has promoted this system, establishing a unit in Budagatlapalem village in Srikakulam district. Subsidies are being provided to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and fisher communities. Seaweed is harvested every 45 days, with dry seaweed selling for Rs 80 to Rs 90 per kg. Ten kg of wet seaweed yields 1 kg of dry product. The required tubes last up to 10 years, making the model sustainable with low recurring costs.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Ramanathapuram Collector distributes 60 tonnes of Kappaphycus seed to women cultivators
Ramanathapuram Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon, along with Kannan Srinivasan, Director, CSIR-CSMCRI, Bhavnagar, distributed 60 tonnes of Kappaphycus seed to 60 beneficiaries during a project closure ceremony at Marine Algal Research Station in Mandapam, recently. To revive production of red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii and to support women cultivators who rely on seaweed farming, the initiative to restore the farming activity and production rate, a seed bank for Kappaphycus alvarezii was established by CSIR-CSMCRI-Marine Algal research station, Mandapam camp in 2021 near the Umayalpuram coast, Mandapam. The initiative, which was undertaken under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Government. of India, funded project in PMMSY scheme, earmarked 300 tonne as the target. Under the scheme, CSIR-CSMCRI-Marine Algal research station has produced 278 tonnes of fresh quality seed and distributed among the 211 beneficiaries since the initiation of this project, said a press release of CSIR-CSMCRI. The beneficiaries who were each given one tonne of seed material were identified by the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu. The new beneficiaries have been selected from Mandapam coast, Sambai, Mangadu in Rameswaram Island, Puthupatinam in North Ramanathapuram, Kumarappavayal, and Muthukuda in Pudukottai district.
