Blue Livelihoods for Karaikal Fisherwomen: Exposure and Training on IMTA Technologies
A five-day Exposure Visit cum Training Programme on Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA): Seaweed–Cage Farming for Sustainable Blue Growth was organized from 6–10 July 2026 at ICAR-CMFRI, Mandapam, for officials and stakeholders from the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Karaikal, UT of Puducherry. The programme was implemented under the MSME-RAMP initiative and aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge and practical skills in mariculture, seaweed farming, sea-cage culture, hatchery technologies, marine ornamental fish production, and value-added seaweed enterprises.
The programme had both lecture-based as well as practical and demonstration components. Training in monoline, bamboo raft, and HDPE raft-based tube-net methods of seaweed culture, cage culture of marine finfishes, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) concepts, edible seaweed farming, diseases management, jellyfish sting management, bivalve mariculture, and marine hatcheries were imparted to the participants. Separate sessions were held for the successful pilot studies in integrated seaweed-cage farming in Karaikal, government policy measures and initiatives, and livelihoods by seaweed value addition and bio-stimulant manufacture.
Site visits were made to hatchery facilities, seaweed plantlet production units, marine hatchery complex, National Marine Brood Bank facilities, and AquAgri Processing Pvt. Ltd., Manamadurai for learning about commercial scale production and processing technologies. Interactive sessions helped participants clear their doubts and learn the economic aspects of sustainable mariculture.
The programme was concluded with a feedback and valedictory session where participants shared their experience and views about the training programme. The training programme is expected to help in the promotion of sustainable mariculture and seaweed farming along with livelihood generation in Karaikal and Puducherry.
The training programme was inaugurated by Dr. K. Vinod, Head, Mandapam Regional Centre and certificate was distributed by Dr. G. Tamilmani, Principal Scientist. The training programme convenors were Dr. Johnson, B., Senior Scientist, Dr. Naveen Kumar, B.T., and Dr. M. Sankar, Scientist.
