AP Bets on Seaweed Farming to Empower Women Economically

The Andhra Pradesh government is set to promote seaweed cultivation on a large scale to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for women and fishing communities across the state’s coastal belt. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday directed officials to formulate a long-term strategy to develop the sector into a strong economic driver.

Reviewing the progress and future potential of seaweed farming, the Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh’s nearly 974-kilometre coastline offers immense scope for expanding cultivation activities. He observed that the sector could provide a dependable additional source of income, particularly for women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and families dependent on fisheries.

Naidu asked officials to move beyond basic cultivation and focus on creating a comprehensive economic ecosystem around seaweed production. He stressed the need for a well-structured business model covering cultivation, processing, value addition and marketing opportunities.

To strengthen commercial production and introduce advanced technologies, the state government plans to collaborate with reputed research and marine science institutions at both national and international levels. During the review meeting, the Chief Minister interacted virtually with experts from institutions including the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute , National Institute of Ocean Technology , Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture and Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute .

He also instructed officials to prepare a detailed roadmap in collaboration with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham for adopting modern cultivation methods and scaling up seaweed production across coastal regions.

The Chief Minister highlighted the growing global demand for seaweed, noting that it is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetics industries. He said establishing processing units and encouraging value-added manufacturing could significantly boost exports and generate new employment opportunities.

According to the government, seaweed farming has the potential to emerge as a key component of Andhra Pradesh’s blue economy while contributing to rural development and coastal wealth creation.