Dr. (Mrs) Suvarna Chandrappagari, IAS, Chief Executive of National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad  has visited CSIR-CSCMRI, Marine Algal Research Station, Mandapam on 05.02.2021. Dr. K. Eswaran Scientist-in-charge and Dr. M. Ganesan, Principal Scientist received  her at ‘Experimental Seaweed Cultivation Farm’ of CSMCRI located at Thonithurai, Mandapam. Raft culture of tissue cultured Kappaphycus alvarezii, Gracilaria edulis and Gracilaria debilis were shown to her and the method of cultivation was explained. She was enlightened to learn about  raft cultivation of seaweeds and  its advantages. She also interacted with the slected women members of Self-Help-Group to whom the tissue culture seedlings of Kappaphycus alvarezii were distributed by Marine Algal Research Station to initiate commercial seaweed farming. The seaweed farmers informed to her that tissue culture seedlings showed better growth than conventional seaweed and expressed their desire to obtain more such seedlings for cultivation. She later also visited “State-of-the-art Seaweed Seedling Production Facility” one of its kind in India at MARS Campus. Dr. Eswaran and Dr. Ganesan briefed about various R&D achievements the centre. Dr. Eswaran explained the various methods of seaweed cultivation like polybag method, net bag method, open culture method, pen culture method, tube net method and raft method. She also visited SAP extraction unit of the institute in the campus where SAP extraction from fresh biomass of Kappaphycus alvarezii was demonstrated. She has appreciated the efforts of CSIR-CSMCRI through the project, facilities, history and went with a very positive mind about the work that scientists of CSMCRI have been doing.