Seaweed Farming
Seaweed Farming
India with a coastline of 11,099 km has immense potential for seaweed cultivation. The site identification and mapping are carried out by research institutes namely ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and CSIR–Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI). As on date, total of 384 potential sites covering 24707 ha area have been identified for seaweed cultivation across the Coastal States/UTs including Andhra Pradesh. The details of the potential area under active seaweed cultivation including Andhra Pradesh is given at Annexure-I.
(b) The Department of Fisheries, Government of India is promoting seaweed cultivation, value addition and market linkages through its schemes, initiatives and policy measures. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) (implemented during 2020-21 to 2025-26) seaweed cultivation is supported as an priority activity and assistance is provided towards installation of rafts, monolines and tubenets, establishment of seaweed seed banks and hatcheries, setting up of a Multipurpose Seaweed Park, and support for training, capacity building, research and pre-feasibility studies.
(c): The projects approved under PMMSY are at various stages of implementation at the State level. As per the details provided by the State Governments/Union Territories and research institutes, the details of beneficiaries covered under various SHGs, Women groups and as individual farmers including Andhra Pradesh is at Annexure-II.
(d) Under the PMMSY, during last 5 years (2020-25) the projects worth ₹198.17 crore have been approved towards seaweed cultivation and its allied activities. Out of the approved projects, details of funds allocated, sanctioned to States/UTs for development of seaweed farming and allied infrastructure across India during the last five years are at Annexure III.
(e) to (f) The Department of Fisheries, Government of India is taking steps to enhance the domestic utilisation of seaweed, promote demand-led growth of the seaweed economy and increase awareness on seaweed farming. Additionally, Lakshadweep has been designated as a Seaweed Cluster and the Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has been notified as a Centre of Excellence for seaweed development to strengthen research, technology dissemination and skill development.
The Multipurpose Seaweed Park approved in Tamil Nadu is aimed at integrated cultivation, processing and product development, and encouragement of seaweed-based products for food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural uses. Subsequently, Guidelines for importing seaweed germplasm has been issued by the Department. Besides, the NITI Ayog has also released a Seaweed Policy Report for the development of this sector.
Awareness generation and capacity building for seaweed cultivation are being carried out through training, demonstrations, exposure visits and master trainer development programmes under Good Management Practices (GMPs) organised by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) in association with State Fisheries Departments and research institutes such as ICAR-CMFRI and CSIR-CSMCRI. Government of Andhra Pradesh has informed that they have undertaken capacity building & skill development programmes for total 1,440 number of self Help Groups & fisherfolk in 12 Coastal Districts with financial assistance of GCF project and AFCOF-CBBO funds.
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Annexure-I
Statement ‘Seaweed Cultivation’.
Year
Area (in Ha)
2020-2021
2021-2022
2022-2023
2023-2024
2024-2025
Tamil Nadu
69.26
87.96
99.94
104.18
107.93
Maharashtra
–
0.12
0.21
0.12
–
Gujarat
–
1.41
2.32
3.94
5.86
Odisha
0.40
0.20
–
–
–
Andhra Pradesh
1.01
1.01
1.01
1.01
Karnataka
0.04
0.04
0.04
–
–
Lakshadweep
0.0016
0.020
0.028
0.008
0.008
Annexure-II
Statement regarding ‘Seaweed Cultivation’.
Year
Members engaged in seaweed cultivation
Tamil Nadu
7230
Gujarat
378
Andhra Pradesh
120
Lakshadweep
40
Annexure-III
Statement regarding ‘Seaweed Cultivation’.
Table-1: Approved units of Establishment of Seaweed culture rafts including inputs
(Rs. In lakh)
Sl.N
Name of the States
Total of 2020-25 (till date)
Physical (No.)
Proj. Cost
GoI Share
1
Andhra Pradesh
26000
390
115
2
Karnataka
10000
150
45
3
Lakshadweep
500
9
5
4
Maharashtra
1000
15
5
5
Tamil Nadu
9745
146.18
77
Total
47245
710.18
247
Table-2: Approved units for Establishment of Seaweed culture with Monoline/ tubenet Method including inputs
(Rs. In lakh)
Sl.N
Name of the States
Total of 2020-25 (till date)
Physical (No.)
Proj. Cost
GoI Share
Expected Production (tonnes)
1
Andhra Pradesh
41200
3296
902
18,540
2
Gujarat
400
32
5
90
3
Karnataka
21000
1680
509
9,450
4
Lakshadweep
250
125
75
56
5
Tamil Nadu
1031
82
30
238.95
Total
63881
5215.00
1521
28374.95
Table-3: Approved units of new Seaweed banks
(Rs. In lakh)
Sl.N
Name of the States
2020-21
Physical (No.)
Proj. Cost
GoI Share
1.
Daman & Diu*
1
120
120
Total
1
120
120
Table-4: Approved Establishment of Seaweed Park under Integrated Aquapark Component
(Rs. In lakh)
Sl.N
Name of the States
2022-23
Physical (No.)
Proj. Cost
GoI Share
1
Tamil Nadu
1
12771
7516
This information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Lok Sabha today in response to a question asked.