Context: The Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) has launched two new initiatives - SAKSHAM (Shramik Shakti Manch) Job Portal and a Seaweed Mission.

What are the two schemes launched?

1. SAKSHAM (Shramik Shakti Manch)
2. Seaweed Mission

Who has launched the schemes?
TIFAC has launched the two schemes.
About TIFAC

• TIFAC or Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council is a technology think tank and autonomous body under the GOI’s Department of Science & Technology (S&T).
• It was formed in 1988 and is headquartered in New Delhi.
• TIFAC assesses the technology trajectories and supports innovation by networked actions in select areas of national importance.
• It strives for technology development in the country by leveraging technology innovation through sustained and concerted programmes in close association with industry and academia.

SAKSHAM

• It is a dynamic portal for jobs/mapping the skills of Shramiks vis-à-vis requirements of MSMEs and other industries all across the country.
• The portal with the demand and supply data uses algorithm and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, for geo-spatial information on demand and availability of Shramiks, and also provide analysis on skill training programmes of Shramiks.
• The pilot portal originally initiated with two districts is now being launched as an all India portal.

Key features of SAKSHAM

• A dynamic job portal – opportunity for Shramiks and MSMEs.
• Facilitate creation of 10 lakh blue collar jobs
• Direct connect between Shramiks and MSMEs, no middleman in between
• Minimise migration of Shramiks – job opportunity in proximate MSMEs

Seaweed Mission

• It is a mission for the commercial farming of seaweeds and its processing for value addition.
• Despite several advantages, commercial seaweeds cultivation has not been taking place in the country at an appropriate scale, as being practiced in South-East Asian countries.
• By an estimate, if cultivation is done in ≈10 million hectares or 5% of the EEZ area of India, it can provide employment to approximately 50 million people; set up new seaweed industry; contribute to national GDP; ocean productivity; abate algal blooms, sequester millions of tons CO2; contribute to a healthier ocean; provide bio-ethanol of 6.6 billion litres.
• Thus, with this objective, TIFAC will showcase a model, in collaboration with other in-line ministries, of the commercial farming of seaweeds and its processing. Seaweed Cultivation would help in boosting the economy.

Seaweed cultivation

• Seaweed Cultivation is also called kelp farming.
• It is the practice of cultivating and harvesting seaweeds.
• Seaweed, or macroalgae, refers to thousands of species of macroscopic, multicellular, marine algae.
• Seaweed species such as kelps provide essential nursery habitat for fisheries and other marine species and thus protect food sources; other species, such as planktonic algae, play a vital role in capturing carbon, producing up to 90% of Earth’s oxygen.

Additional Information
Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC)

• As per the recommendation of Technology Policy Implementation Committee (TPIC) in 1985, Cabinet approved the formation of TIFAC in mid-1986.
• It was formed as a registered Society in February, 1988 under the Department of Science and Technology as an autonomous body.
• It was mandated to assess the state-of-art of technology and set directions for future technological development in India in important socio-economic sectors.