An International Conference on the promotion of seaweed value chain in India – “Seaweed India-2022” was held from 28-29 Sep 2022 at the NCSCM Auditorium in Chennai. The BOBP-IGO organized the event with Smart Agripost, a leading Agriculture Magazine and ICAR-CMFRI. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Government of India (MFAHD), and the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu (DFFW) sponsored the Conference. Mr. Jatindra Nath Swain, IAS, Secretary, MFAHD, Mr. A Karthik, IAS, Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department, Dr. K. S. Palanisamy, IAS, Commissioner of Fisheries, DFFW, Dr. J. K. Jena, DDG (Fisheries), ICAR, Dr. A Gopalakrishnan, Director, ICAR-CMFRI took part along with the diverse stakeholders comprising industry majors, start-ups, women entrepreneurs, eminent researchers, experts, technocrats and policymakers.

 

During the Conference, Mr. Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Govt. of India interacted with the stakeholders including women entrepreneurs from coastal districts, and assured all support to address the issues that impede the development of the seaweed industry.

 

Unveiling the state government’s plan to upscale seaweed farming, Mr. A Karthik, said that Tamil Nadu is creating a unique opportunity for investors and entrepreneurs to make the State one-stop destination for the seaweed sector. Dr. Palanisamy, highlighted the preparedness of the Department and elaborate the plan of setting up of seaweed hub in Tamil Nadu to bring together farmers, processors, end users and investors in a single platform. Earlier, Dr. J.K Jena, highlighted the research advancements made by the ICAR towards popularizing seaweed farming. Speaking on the occasion, experts from FAO and SEAFDEC shared global and regional experience in seaweed farming emphasising the need for setting up of a suitable management framework. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. P. Krishnan, Director, BOBP called for expanding the sector on robust scientific foundation and learning from the experiences from other countries in the region.