Exploring Blue Horizons in Srikakulam: Empowering Women Through Ocean Farming

The AMMACHI Labs Ocean Farming Team from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham continued its “Blue is the New Pink” outreach in Andhra Pradesh with a day focused on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community engagement in Srikakulam District.

Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Livelihoods
The day began with a high-level stakeholder consultation at the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) Office, where officials from DRDA and the Department of Fisheries met with the Amrita team to explore integrating seaweed cultivation into existing livelihood programs.

Key participants included Kiran Kumar (Project Director, DRDA), Narayan Rao (District Project Manager, DRDA), and Y. Satyanarayanan (Deputy Director of Fisheries).

The discussions offered valuable insights into ongoing aquaculture and seaweed trials within the district, paving the way for deeper collaboration and future field visits to experimental sites.

Community Engagement at Budagatlapalem
In the afternoon, the team visited Budagatlapalem Village, where they were warmly received by local leaders, fisheries officials, and 67 Self-Help Group (SHG) women eager to restart seaweed farming activities.

The women expressed strong interest in reinitiating cultivation, highlighting the need for structured training, technical guidance, and continued monitoring. Their enthusiasm and resilience underscored a collective vision for reviving sustainable coastal livelihoods through women-led initiatives.

Key Outcomes

• Strengthened collaboration between Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, DRDA, and the Fisheries Department
• Gained technical insights into sustainable aquaculture models
• Identified potential for safe, pond-based seaweed cultivation
• Reaffirmed strong community readiness for women-led marine livelihoods

Together with partners from DRDA and the Fisheries Department, Amrita University’s Ocean Farming initiative continues to advance a science-driven, compassion-centered approach to women’s empowerment and environmental sustainability along India’s coasts.

Supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

This initiative directly contributes to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

No Poverty (SDG 1)
Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
Gender Equality (SDG 5)
Climate Action (SDG 13)
Life Below Water (SDG 14)
Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

Through such efforts, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and AMMACHI Labs continue to create transformative impact — empowering coastal women, nurturing sustainable livelihoods, and fostering harmony between humanity and the ocean