The Hindu Business Line : Sow weeds in the sea and reap a windfall

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Thiruvananthapuram Feb. 5 `Sow weeds in the sea and reap a windfall' is the clarion call from Vizhinjam Grama Panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram to fisher folk in the emaciated coastal village.

They could benefit from a pioneering programme, launched here on Saturday, for commercial cultivation of economically important seaweeds based on the successful `pilot' involving red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii in the backyard bay.

This, according to Dr V. Sobha, Professor and Head, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kerala, throws up the phenomenal prospects of commercial-scale cultivation of seaweeds not just at Vizhinjam, but all along the south-west coastal belt as well.

PILOT STUDY

A pilot study conducted by Dr M.S. Bindu, Principal Investigator, under the auspices of the Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kerala, has proved that acclimatisation and culture of Kappaphycus alvarezii could be carried out in the Vizhinjam waters.

The Women Scientist Programme of the Science and Society Division of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has taken up a programme to train rural womenfolk in this regard. It is expected to create increased employment opportunities and lead to economic upliftment of unemployed fishermen.

Kappaphycus alvarezii produces kappa carrageenan, which finds massive application in industries such as food, pharmaceutical and aquaculture world over. It is an important food (jellies, ice cream, sauce, ham, sausage and chocolate drinks) and non-food (personal care, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals) additive.

LOW INVESTMENT

The minimum investment and high returns would make the project an appealing option that would supplement the income of fisherfolk families, Dr Sobha says. Buy-back arrangement with food and pharmaceutical companies are a distinct possibility.

Farming of this seaweed started in southern Mindanao in the Philippines in the mid '60s, and propagated itself to other countries such as Indonesia, Fiji, Micronesia, Vietnam, China and South Africa. Tropical Indian waters in the optimum temperature range of 25 to 28 deg C are seen as an ideal medium for growth.

Mariculture of Kappaphycus was introduced in the Indian coastal belt, a region marked for its non-occurrence, in the mid-90s. Since then, successful stories of commercial cultivation of Kappaphycus have been reported from many parts, especially from the Tamil Nadu coast.

Ms Asuntha Mohan, President, Grama Panchayat, inaugurated the commercial cultivation programme at Vizhinjam on Saturday. Dr T. Sakthivel, former director of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and President, Aquaculture Foundation of India, delivered the keynote address.

More Stories on : Aquaculture | Environment | Kerala

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