Seaweeds are the renewable resources of the coastal ecosystem. The initiatives of GOI through the PMMSY scheme are timely for increasing the income of the coastal population, especially the fisherfolk. The production of seaweeds is expected to increase from the current production of 30,000 tons to 11.20 lakh tons by 2025 with the infusion of funds from the flagship programme PMMSY. Tamil Nadu is the source of a variety of species of economically important seaweeds which produce 3 lakh tones of seaweeds per year. This would usher in the growth of seaweed-based industries in coastal belts and increase the socioeconomic status of the fishing community and the farmer’s near-bye. Reports indicate that the demand for seaweed-based bio-stimulants and other seaweed-based formulations is around 4, 50, 000 tons and it is said that India produces only 5% and the rest is imported. These data indicate that fisher folk have to be sensitized and motivated to venture into startups to develop seaweed-based products.

         The primary objective of the present project is to demonstrate and provide training on seaweed-based products to improve the growth and yield performance of crops and enhance the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables that increase the income of the members of Fishermen Cooperative Societies. The developed technologies will be demonstrated to the trainees selected from coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and technology will be transferred to trainees interested in startups.