Seaweed Cultivation Scheme for Fishermen
Seaweed Cultivation Scheme for Fishermen
India has about 844 rare varieties of seaweed species which contains multifarious nutritional, medicinal, industrial and agricultural values. Given the demand for seaweed-derived products in the world, Seaweed cultivation has a vast potential for the employment generation for the coastal community people. It acts as an alternative livelihood for the small scale fishermen and other community people living in the coastal areas. It is a simple process to cultivate the seaweed and it entails low capital investment and offers quick and better returns on the investment made. The Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, through National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), has been implementing schemes and programs to address the issue of shortage of raw materials, labour shortages during the harvesting season and to support the small scale fishermen in improving their socio-economic status. This article will explain the scheme for fisherman called “Seaweed Cultivation Scheme for Fishermen”
Objectives of the Scheme
The objective of the scheme is to:
- Generate income-generating opportunities for the fishermen residing in the coastal areas
- Reduce the fishing pressure among the small scale fishermen
- Improve cultivation through advanced harvesting and transplanting techniques
- Conducting surveys to recognise suitable sites for large scale seaweed cultivation
- Offer substitute livelihood opportunity for fishers during the fishing ban time
- Address the issue of aggregate industrial demand for seaweeds such as Agar, Agarose, Carrageenan and Alginates
- Enhance the production of seed materials of the seaweed to address the increasing demand in the market
- Encourage fish farmers to adopt eco-friendly methods and preserve the natural resources
Target Group
The scheme is launched to benefit the:
- Fisher community people residing in the coastal areas
- Women engaged in fishery activities
- Self Help Groups
- Fish farmers and Entrepreneurs
Areas Benefitted under the Scheme
Seaweed Cultivation-Alternate Livelihood for Coastal Fisher Population scheme is being implemented in:
- The shallow coastal waters areas of the Maritime States such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Rich seaweed bed areas such as Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Goa, Karwar, Varkala, Vizhinjam and Pulicat in Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh and Chilka in Orissa
Implementation Agencies
The Department of Fisheries of coastal States/Union Territories is the implementing agency of the Scheme and the financial assistance is provided by the National Fisheries Development Board. The Central Salt Marine and Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI) and Mandapam Regional Centre, Tamil Nadu collaborate together to bring in the advanced technologies seaweed cultivation.
Pattern of Assistance Allocated under the Scheme
The assistance is provided to establish the following components under the scheme:
- A cost of Rs.1000 per unit is offered to build a Tube-Net or a bamboo raft with the size of 3m x 3m
- 3 beneficiaries per cluster are chosen and assistance is provided to build 40 bamboo rafts under the scheme
- The board allocates Rs.1.25 Lakhs to conduct a Training & Skill Development programme for the beneficiaries for the duration of 30 days
- 50 persons per batch are chosen for the programme
Funding Pattern
The fund allocated under the scheme is shared among the NFDB, State Government and the beneficiaries as per the following percentage:
- The National Fisheries Development Board provides 100% of its share to the Central Government Institutions to support and assist the fishermen
- For the State Government Institutions the fund is shared between the NFDB and State/UT and Beneficiary equally
- For the women in the UT belonging to the backward community, the NFDB allots 60% of the total fund and the remaining 40% of the fund is shared by the beneficiary and UT
- For the women in the State belonging to the backward community, the fund is shared between the NFDB and beneficiaries/UT with the ratio of 36:64
- For the fishermen in the UT belonging to the General Category, the fund is shared between the NFDB and the UT/beneficiary with the ratio of 40:60
- For the fishermen in the State belonging to the General Category, the fund is shared between the NFDB and the UT/beneficiary with the ratio of 24:76
Contact Details
Further information can be found on the National Fisheries Development Board.
Any queries related to the scheme can be clarified by sending mails to the below-mentioned contact address and email id:
National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB),
“Fish Building”, Pillar No: 235,
PVNR Expressway,
Hyderabad – 500052.
