Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh’s long coastline will be dotted with floating cages in shallow sea waters that will help women from self-help groups (SHGs) do seaweed culturing.
The fisheries authorities are sensitizing women groups in all the nine coastal districts from Srikakulam to Nellore. Seaweed culture is done on commercial lines in parts of Tamil Nadu and this has nutritious and medicinal values. AP also intends to do this so that women will have a new avenue for financial self-sustenance.
Cages made of either PVC or bamboo will be floated in shallow waters in areas that are not prone to high tides, like the Hope Island near Kakinada in East Godavari. Seaweed seeds brought from Tamil Nadu will be cultured in these cages.
The authorities have come up with two models for seaweed culture, which are estimated to cost Rs8,000 and Rs15,000 per unit. The Centre will provide 60 per cent subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana for the setting up of each unit as and where women from SC and ST communities are involved. The remaining 40 per cent has to be borne by the beneficiary. Bank loans can be arranged for the purpose, officials said.
A self-help group comprises 10 to 15 women. Each group will be given 100 units for seaweed culture. A kilo of wet seaweed fetches Rs15 to 20 and dried one Rs 80 to 100.
Fisheries additional director Koteswara Rao said, “We are taking up a sensitization programme among women in the coastal districts. This will help them earn a substantial income.”
Fisheries officials say seaweed is having medicinal properties. It is in huge demand from pharmaceutical companies to manufacture drugs for certain ailments, especially in Tamil Nadu. Seaweed contains vitamins and minerals like iodine, iron and calcium besides fiber and sugar. It helps reduce weight and check heart ailments.
East Godavari fisheries joint director Satyanarayana said, “We are sensitizing women groups to take up seaweed culturing at Uppada and other places that are suitable for this process.”
