VISAKHAPATNAM: Seaweed, a marine plant with multifarious uses, would be cultivated in 49 locations in the nine coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh spread over more than 1,200 hectares.
The scientists of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)-ICAR, Visakhapatnam identified 27 potential sites for seaweed cultivation in four undivided north coastal districts.
On a pilot project basis, the cultivation of seaweed would be taken up from next month at Mangamaripeta coast in Vizag.
Sources said that the central government has given assistance to set up around 10,000 seaweed culture units in Andhra, including 2,700 units in bifurcated Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts.
The central government has been encouraging seaweed cultivation under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
According to sources, seaweed research has also gained momentum in recent years.
Seaweed has its usage in food, drugs, textiles, fertilizers, cattle feed, and the biofuel industry.
Seaweed is grouped as red, green and brown.
Red seaweed, which is Kappaphycus alvarezii, is the most common species.
The most cultivated seaweed are Kappaphycus alvarezii, Gracilaria, Saccharina Japonica, Pyropia and Sargassum fusiform, and others.
District project manager of PMMSY P Krishna told TOI that seaweed cultivation would be taken up with the raft method which is made up of high-density poly vinyl pipes, or tube-net method culture.
“CMFRI and also PMMSY would provide training to the enthusiastic farmers. We are planning for raft cultivation of seaweed at the Mangamaripeta beach area as a pilot project with 10 rafts. The yield would come in 50 days,” Krishna said.
Kappaphycus seaweed variety would be cultivated in raft cultivation at Mangamaripeta area in the sea around 250 to 300 meters from the coast.
Scientists identified more than 200 varieties of seaweed, including sodium, calcium, chlorine, magnesium and fibre, vitamins, folic acids and proteins to be consumed by humans.
The food items made with seaweed would control blood pressure, heart-related diseases, HIV, Cancer, and others.
Seaweed contains a wide range of antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, and E, carotenoids, and flavonoids.
These antioxidants protect the body from cell damage.
Seaweed contains fiber and sugars, both of which can be used as food sources for the bacteria in the human gut.
This fiber can also increase the growth of good bacteria and nourish the gut.
Seaweed may help in losing weight because it contains few calories, filling fiber, and fucoxanthin, which contributes to increased metabolism and also helps in reducing cholesterol, blood pressure, and the risk of blood clots.
Scientists identified around 400 hectares including 40 hectares at RK Beach, 10 hectares at Vuda Park area, 50 hectares at Tenneti Park area, 25 hectares each at Thotlakonda area, Bheemili, Yendada, Mutyalammapalem, Bangarammapalem, Rambilli and 50 hectares each at Timmapuram, Mangamaripeta and Pudimadaka in Undivided Visakhapatnam district.
The PMMSY project manager Krishna said that except for two to three months of the rainy season, the entire year is favorable for seaweed cultivation.
“We need to take up the suitable variety of seaweed species to sustain the conditions and water here. The salt content should also be considered apart from wave, and tide action, moderate underwater current, and availability of nutrient-rich water free from mental contaminants and toxic pollutants.
According to the research by scientists, there were 87 different species of seaweed in the coastal waters of Andhra Pradesh 50 years ago, but their number has come down to 35 to 38 a decade ago.
