Union Minister Parshottam Rupala Champions Seaweed Cultivation at National Conference in Kutch

Koteshwar: Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (FAHD), Shri Parshottam Rupala, spearheaded the National Conference on Promotion of Seaweed Cultivation on January 27, 2024, at Koteshwar, Kori Creek, Kutch, Gujarat. The conference aimed at fostering the implementation of seaweed cultivation on a PAN India basis, with a strong emphasis on promoting the practice across the country.

The event was graced by notable dignitaries, including Shri Vinod Chavda (Member of Parliament, Kutch), Shri P.M Jadeja (MLA, Abdesa), Dr Abhilaksh Likhi (Secretary, Department of Fisheries), Smt. Neetu Kumari Prasad (Joint Secretary, DoF), Shri Sagar Mehra (Joint Secretary, DoF), Dr J.K Jena (Deputy Director General, ICAR), Shri Abhishek Pathak (IG, BSF), Dr L.N Murthy (CE, NFDB), Shri Nitin Sangwan (Director, Government of Gujarat), and others.

Addressing the participants, Shri Rupala underscored the importance of seaweed cultivation, encouraging fishermen and fisherwomen to adopt the practice due to its wide-ranging product opportunities. He highlighted that the conference marked the first national gathering focusing on seaweed cultivation, offering an alternative for employment generation, diversifying marine production, enhancing fish farmer income, and reducing reliance on traditional fishing methods.

The Minister also pointed out that the ongoing pilot project at Kori Creek could be a game-changer for seaweed cultivation, urging all stakeholders to contribute suggestions and inputs for its success.

Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, emphasized the need to assess challenges and find solutions in the seaweed value chain. He outlined the government’s commitment to innovation in seaweed production, policy frameworks, regulations, and fostering relationships. The comprehensive mapping of the seaweed value chain to address bottlenecks was highlighted as a crucial step.

The conference featured an exhibition by fisheries start-ups and research institutes, showcasing seaweed value-added products and cultivation processes. Shri Rupala, along with other dignitaries, visited stalls by Climacrew (Gujarat), Pukai Aquagri (Andhra Pradesh), ICAR-CMFRI, CSIR-CSMCRI, CIFT, and NFDB, interacting with entrepreneurs and scientists.

A visit to the Kori Creek Project Site allowed the Minister to observe divergent methods of seaweed cultivation, including Monoline, tube-net, and rafts demonstrated by CMFRI, CSMCRI, and NFDB pilot projects. Cutting-edge seaweed farming techniques, such as Raft Culture & Tube Net pilots, were showcased by ICAR-CMFRI, CSMCRI & The TSC-Purple Turtle.

Smt. Neetu Prasad expressed gratitude to Union Minister and other dignitaries for their guidance and support, highlighting the achievements in the seaweed sector. Refrigerated vehicles and motorcycles with iceboxes were distributed, and various projects under the PMMSY were sanctioned during the event.

The conference provided a platform for approximately 300 beneficiaries, including fish farmers, fishers, fisheries cooperatives, government officials, scientists, and researchers, to exchange ideas, learn best practices, and envision a comprehensive approach to fortify and expand seaweed cultivation in the fisheries sector for the benefit of the entire community.