AgFRD Thematic Group event
We will be listening from a global expert, Dr. Indu Hewawasam who brings years of rich experience and knowledge on the topic. She will offer insights on Seaweed Farming – while an industry that is well-established in the Far East, it is an area of tremendous potential and growing interest in other parts of the world.
Summary: Coastal regions are particularly vulnerable to natural hazards associated with climate-change-induced sea-level rise and storm surge. Coastal communities, particularly in developing countries, are subject to monsoons, cyclones and flooding, threatening their ability to survive and have livelihoods. The situation is exacerbated by diminishing fish supply, and fishers have to take up other sources of livelihoods.
In Zanzibar, in East Africa, seaweed farming has for decades been a sustainable alternative to fishing. At its peak, seaweed aquaculture relieved pressure on wild stock fishery resources and the industry became the third largest source of income for the country and accounted for nearly 90% of its marine exports. The seaweed grown included Cottonii and Spinosum which constitute the base for manufacturing Carrageenan which in turn is the base for pharmaceuticals, cosmetic and food products. The raw produce after washing, drying and crushing is exported. The industry mainly carried out by women, empowered them and gave them independence.
However, warming of the nearshore waters where seaweed is traditionally grown suffered a severe blow, resulting in the mortality of seaweed in many farms. Limited knowledge of aquaculture and poor seed stocks also combined to make it harder for the farmers to maintain their livelihoods and some became destitute.
Some international and local NGOs including The Nature Conservancy (TNC) stepped in to partner with farmers, the local private sector and government to provide capacity building for higher production and improved marketing. The local NGO, Zanzibar Seaweed Cluster Initiative (ZaSCI) promoted deep-water farming to combat climate change impacts and knowledge sharing in value addition.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Indumathie Hewawasam, President of Sustainable Oceans and Coasts LLC; formerly, Senior Environmental Specialist, Africa Region, World Bank.
Discussants: (TBD)
Moderator: Preeti Ahuja, Chair, Agr., Food & Rural Development TG; Sr. Consultant, FAO
Registrations:
In-person (MC1-860)
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