TIFAC’s SEAWEED MISSION FOR COMMERCIAL FARMING OF SEAWEEDS

• Be N By IAS, Delhi
• 11, Feb 2021

For : GS-3: Economy, Agriculture

CONTEXT:

• Recently Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) launched Seaweed Mission for commercial farming of seaweeds and its processing for value addition towards boosting national economy.
• It was launched on the occasion of the 34th Foundation Day celebrations yesterday.

SEAWEED MISSION:

• Why: Out of the global seaweed production of ~ 32 million tons fresh weight valued around 12 billion US dollars.
  • China produces ~57 %,
  • Indonesia ~28%
  • India ~0.01-0.02%.
• South-East Asian countries: Despite several advantages, commercial seaweeds cultivation has not been taken place in the country at an appropriate scale, as being practiced in South-East Asian countries.
• The Mission envisages the following activities:
  • Establishing model demonstration farms over one hectare for cultivation of economically important seaweeds in nearshore and onshore along the Indian coast
  • Kappaphycus all over Indian coast
  • Gracilaria dura in Gujarat
  • Gracilariaverrucosa in Chilka lake (Odhisa)
  • Ulva linza or Ulva proliferainChilka lake (Odhisa)
  • Ulva lactuca or Ulva fasciata or Ulva indica all over India coast
• Proposed Demonstration Sites: Gujarat / Tamil Nadu / Andhara Pradesh / Odisha / Karnataka

SIGNIFICANCE:

By an estimate, if cultivation is done in ≈10 million hectares or 5% of the EEZ area of India, it will lead to:

Employment to ~ 50 million people;

• Set up new seaweed industry;
• Contribute to national gdp;
• Ocean productivity;
• Abates algal blooms,
• Sequesters millions of tons co2;
• Healthier ocean;
• Bio-ethanol of 6.6 billion litres

TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION, FORECASTING AND ASSESSMENT COUNCIL (TIFAC):

• TIFAC is an autonomous organization set up in 1988 under the Department of Science & Technology.
• As per the recommendation of Technology Policy Implementation Committee (TPIC) in 1985, Cabinet approved the formation of TIFAC in mid-1986.
• It was formed as a registered Society in February, 1988 under the Department of Science and Technology as an autonomous body.
• It was mandated to assess the state-of-art of technology and set directions for future technological development in India in important socio-economic sectors.

SOURCE: PIB

MCQs:

Q. Which of the following will take place if Seaweed production increases in India?

1. Decreases Ocean productivity
2. Abates algal blooms
3. Sequesters millions of tons Co2
4. Healthier ocean

Select the correct answer using the code below.

• a) 1 and 2 Only
• b) 2 and 3 Only
• c) 2, 3 and 4 Only
• d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

ANS: C