Seaweed: International participants contribute richly to discussion

The planned International Webinar on Entrepreneurship Development on “Seaweed Business by Cooperatives” went off well on Thursday with participants from across the globe making significant contributions to the discussion.

Jointly organized by Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Govt of India, LINAC-NCDC, Ministry of Agri and NEDAC, Bangkok, the Webinar had Dr Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary Department of Fisheries as the chief guest.

Introductory remarks were made by webinar coordinator, Prof Krishna R Salin, Director, NEDAC Bangkok. Sundeep Nayak MD, NCDC informed that the NEDAC comprises coastal countries participating in the webinar to deliberate on the potential and the challenges in the seaweeds farming in the coastal zones.

Experts from countries like Vietnam, Philippines and Canada and others participated in the international virtual event. Nayak also said that efforts are on to tie up with the Asian pacific countries to boost seaweed cultivation.

Dr Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary made a presentation that provided details about the action plan and the strategy prepared by the Government to take up the seaweed cultivation on a Mission mode. India has a coastline of around 7,500 km which can be potential seaweed farming zones.

Ranjan, said that the government is serious about the seaweed business which has huge potential with the world production valued around USD 12 billion. It is estimated to shoot up to USD 26 billion by 2026. It has the potential to transform the way of farming, he said.

Now, to spur the sector, the government has already allocated Rs 637 crore for the cultivation of these nutrition-rich marine plants, as part of the Rs 20,050-crore central scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)—to be spent over the next five years, mainly as subsidy support. Intensive efforts will be made by the implementing agencies to prioritize formation and promotion of FFPOs, support to cooperatives and women SHG’s in the potential coastal areas in the country, under the scheme, said Dr Ranjan.

Speaking on the occasion, IFFCO MD Dr U S Awasthi said about 5 years ago the country began focussing on seaweed extracts for agri uses. IFFCO joined Aqua Agri with 50% stake and has been using 40% of seaweed extracts as bio-stimulant in some of its products. This has led to an increase of more than 11 to 13 percent in the yield. Awasthi also lauded Dr Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary Department of Fisheries for his initiative in igniting the zeal for industrial scale of production of seaweed.

Manoj Joshi, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Food and Processing Industry stressed on focusing on a few clusters, to begin with and ensure convergence of the schemes to scale up the production.

Dr Thierry Chopin, Prof of Marine Biology, University of New Brunswick, Canada said how seaweeds, a key component of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) are providing important ecosystem services, which should be valued.

Others who spoke included Dr Blossom Kochhar, Chair, Blossom Kochhar Group, Abhiram Seth, Aqua Agri, Kavita Nehemiah, Snap Natural & Alginate and Dr. Nguyen Van Nguyen, Dy Dir, Res Institute for Marine Fish, Vietnam.

Dr Anicia Q Hurtado, University of the Philippines talked about innovations in red seaweed cultivation while Dr. Yugraj Yadava, Director, Bay of Bengal Programme IGO, India gave insight into seaweed farming for industrial applications in India.  Dr Atul Patne, Commissioner Fisheries, Maharashtra Government spoke about Maharashtra’s experience.

Dr Rajesh Gopal and Nilesh Patil from NCDC presented seaweed scenario in the country and how the Government is promoting 3C concept: Cooperative-Corporate Collaboration, including with industry houses like CII, Assocham, PHDCCI, ICC, and others in the sector.

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