Strengthening Partnerships for Ocean Farming & Women’s Empowerment in Bengaluru

The AMMACHI Labs Ocean Farming initiative continues to advance its mission of blending marine sustainability with women’s empowerment. With activities spanning coastal villages, the team is not only cultivating seaweed and fish but also cultivating partnerships—ensuring that innovation, community livelihoods, and environmental stewardship progress hand in hand.

Building Connections in Munekad

The Ocean Farming team met with the District Director of Fisheries, presenting updates from nine coastal villages engaged in the initiative. Encouraged by the progress, the Director advised the team to prepare a comprehensive report with documents and videos to raise broader awareness. He also assured support in linking women beneficiaries to the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMSSY) schemes, strengthening opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

Dialogues in Mandapam

At Mandapam, the team engaged with Shri R. Sivakumar, Assistant Director of Fisheries, on several critical fronts:

• Procuring indigenous seaweed seeds, with guidance to approach CMFRI for support.
• Discussions on the sea cucumber ban and potential sustainable alternatives.
• Showcasing seaweed-based soaps handcrafted by coastal women, along with project brochures, highlighting the value-added potential of ocean farming initiatives.

A Commitment to Empowerment & Sustainability

These discussions reaffirm AMMACHI Labs’ dedication to expanding partnerships, raising awareness, and empowering women in coastal communities. By merging marine science with social innovation, the initiative is not only restoring ocean ecosystems but also creating new avenues for income generation and self-reliance.

Project Partners

The Ocean Farming projects are implemented by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, in collaboration with Transworld, GEF Small Grants Programme Operational Phase 7, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, and TERI – The Energy and Resources Institute.