Union Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi Visits Mandapam Seaweed Cultivation Site; Interacts with Seaweed Farmers, Self-Help Groups and Scientists

The Union Fisheries Secretary visited seaweed cultivation sites in Mandapam, Tamil Nadu, and chaired a meeting on seaweed farming involving stakeholders, research institutions, and coastal state representatives. Discussions focused on scaling up production, value addition, market linkages, technology adoption, and sustainable coastal livelihoods through government interventions such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY). The report highlights that research institutions have identified 384 suitable sites across 24,707 hectares for seaweed cultivation along India's coastline. Furthermore, seaweed production in India increased from 18,890 tonnes in 2015 to 82,728 tonnes in 2025, supported by approved projects worth ₹181.11 crore during 2020-27, including a Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu and a designated Centre of Excellence at ICAR-CMFRI Mandapam.