By Inbakandan Dhinakarasamy on 25 February 2019.
Seaweeds not only provide habitats for marine life and reduce ocean acidity, but also are highly nutritious as food source as supplement in cattle feed. A growing body of research on seaweeds has also expanded its use in drugs, food, textiles, fertiliser and biofuel industry. Not surprisingly, the government of India under ‘blue revolution’ scheme has financed thousands of seaweed culture units (pdf) – with efforts focused especially in the South-Indian peninsula.
Potential of seaweed farming in India: role of women
Women in India have been in the forefront of this movement. Citing as ‘seaweed women’, Flower E. Msuya of University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania captures the contribution of women fisherfolk in the sector for four decades in the Western Indian Ocean. The review article authored by Msyua highlights the complex role of women in producing value-added products from seaweed biomass cultivated through hands-on farming activities and small-scale processing. Indeed, seaweeds are the promising resources and aqua farming techniques uplifting the economical position and self-sustenance of self-help group women in every coastal district and villages of Tamil Nadu, India. Although 80 per cent of Asia’s seaweed production is taken up by China, Korea and Japan (pdf) – a publication by ICAR also highlights how India has enormous potential given its 17,000 km coastline bearing 821 species of seaweed. Harnessing this potential will not only empower existing small-scale enterprises sustained by seaweed women but also provide alternative sources of income and reduce pressure on fishing activities.
Tamil Nadu: a case for encouraging women in seaweed farming
The Centre for Ocean Research, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology have initiated cultivation of red sea weed (Kappaphycus alvarezii), by imparting rigorous entrepreneurship trainings to fisherwomen. Self-help groups are formed at Muttom fishing harbor vicinity in Tamil Nadu, making seaweed as an alternative source of income generation. On an average per capita, a woman generates Rs. 8000 by selling fresh seaweed. More than 100 trained fisher women are engaged in seaweed farming. About 500 rafts made out of bamboo are deployed which harvest nearly 15 tonnes(pdf) of the Kappaphycus alvarezii seaweed – once in 35 days. This initiative is funded by Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai.
Gallery: seaweed culture rafts floating at Dr. Jeppiar Fishing Harbour Muttom, Kanyakumari District, India Fisherwomen and Fishermen trained by Centre for Ocean Research, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology. Photo courtesy: author
Inbakandan Dhinakarasamy, PhD, is Scientist– E & Associate Professor with Centre for Ocean Research, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai. Inbakandan is also commission member of IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (2017-2020).