Empowering Coastal Women Through Seaweed Value Addition Training

The AMMACHI Labs Ocean Farming team recently conducted a series of Value-Added Product Training sessions for women involved in the Seaweed Cultivation projects across Ramanathapuram villages.

During the sessions, participants engaged in hands-on workshops to create innovative products such as seaweed-based soaps and pickles. These products were prepared for Amma’s Birthday celebrations, exhibition stalls, and as university gifts. The training also covered essential aspects of indigenous seaweed cultivation, packaging, quality assurance, and timely order fulfillment.

In addition to skill-building activities, the team facilitated the clearing of previous payments and organized the collection and transport of fresh seaweed for upcoming production cycles. These initiatives not only enhance participants’ technical knowledge but also boost their entrepreneurial confidence, customer service capabilities, and readiness for large-scale events—where their seaweed-based innovations are witnessing growing demand.

The Ocean Farming projects are implemented by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in partnership with Transworld, the GEF Small Grants Programme (OP7), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Government of India), and TERI – The Energy and Resources Institute.