The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed in the Funds to set up a a multi-goal seaweed park in Tamil Nadu as component of advertising and marketing seaweed cultivation.
According to the Minister, seaweed farming is an emerging sector with opportunity to transform the life of coastal communities and will supply huge employment and additional profits.
Welcoming the initiative, A Gopalakrishnan, Director, Central Marine Fisheries Exploration Institute, said the proposed park could be a multi-goal hub for a selection of financial activities associated to seaweed farming, business enterprise progress and bio-prospecting. Presently, seaweeds are staying cultivated by hundreds of fishermen along the Palk Bay coastline in Tamil Nadu. The proposal will help the fisherfolk and coastal entrepreneurs in the State, he said.
The commercially exploited seaweed species in India generally include things like Kappaphycus alvarezii, Gracilaria edulis, Gelidiella acerosa, Sargassum spp. and Turbinaria spp. Seaweeds are valued for industrial solutions these as Karrageenan and Agar other than staying employed for the output of polysaccharides, fertilizer, sludge and other significant-value solutions these as nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals for use against various lifestyle ailments.
K Riji John, Vice-Chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Reports, said that the progress of seaweed park would go a extensive way in addressing the nutritionally protection of a huge segment of undernourished and underprivileged marginal communities.
“India staying a tropical belt, we have a range of economically essential seaweed species which can be commercially exploited. The operation of this park needs to be prolonged to Lakshadweep wherever there is significant opportunity for seaweed farming which is nevertheless keep on being so underneath explored,” he said.
Seaweeds are storehouse of essential amino acids, natural antioxidants, minerals and other micro-nutrition. On the other hand, recognition of the rewards on the usage of the seaweeds are not appropriately penetrated to our community, he extra.