From April 21 to 23, 2026, AMMACHI Labs, in collaboration with the Center for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality (CWEGE) at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, conducted an intensive field engagement across three coastal villages in Andhra Pradesh, advancing women-led seaweed cultivation under the “Blue is the New Pink” initiative.
In the lead-up to the field activities, the team carried out baseline surveys and provided essential water safety training in Mangamaripeta, ensuring that participants were well-prepared for safe and informed engagement in marine environments.
With technical guidance from Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, women participants underwent hands-on training and actively contributed to key stages of seaweed cultivation. These included seed loading, raft preparation, and offshore installation, enabling them to build both technical skills and a strong sense of ownership in the process.
Despite challenging sea conditions and strong tides, all clusters were successfully installed approximately 1.5 kilometers offshore—demonstrating resilience, coordination, and growing enthusiasm among participants.
The initiative goes beyond skill-building. By equipping women with sustainable livelihood opportunities in seaweed farming, it fosters financial independence while promoting marine stewardship. The effort also reflects a broader shift toward positioning women as key contributors and leaders within the emerging Blue Economy.
As the “Blue is the New Pink” initiative continues to expand, it highlights the transformative potential of community-driven, women-led solutions in addressing both economic and environmental challenges along India’s coastal regions.
This project is implemented by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham with support from Andhra’s Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP).
This initiative contributes meaningfully to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
