HARNESSING INDIA’S BLUE WEALTH: THE SEAWEED POTENTIAL
- sujeetkofficial
- May 1
- 2 min read
Executive Summary
India’s vast 7,500 km coastline and marine biodiversity offer immense potential for seaweed cultivation, an industry projected to grow to $11.8 billion globally by 2030. Seaweeds present a unique opportunity to balance environmental conservation, climate resilience, and economic development.
Seaweeds act as highly efficient carbon sinks, help deacidify oceans, improve coastal biodiversity and offer solutions for climate adaptation by mitigating coastal erosion and supporting marine ecosystems.
Seaweed farming provides a scalable, low-barrier livelihood, particularly empowering women and marginalized coastal communities. Successful pilot projects show monthly incomes of ₹15,000–₹20,000 per farmer, catalyzing rural entrepreneurship and enhancing financial resilience.
Government initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), establishment of India’s first Multipurpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu and strategic vision documents by NITI Aayog signify a strong policy thrust to mainstream seaweed cultivation as a pillar of India’s sustainable blue economy agenda.
Successful international models like China’s industrial-scale production, Indonesia’s community-driven frameworks and Vietnam’s integrated multi-trophic aquaculture offer vital lessons for India. Tailoring these to India's socio-ecological contexts will be key to scaling operations sustainably.
Odisha, with a 480 km coastline and high poverty rates among coastal fisherfolk, presents an untapped frontier for seaweed farming. Estimates suggest cultivating 26,000 hectares could create 108,300 jobs and generate USD 95 million annually. Integrated models like IMTA (Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture) can enhance ecological and economic outcomes, offering Odisha a pathway to climate resilience and inclusive growth.
Despite significant biodiversity advantages, India currently accounts for less than 1% of global seaweed production. Strategic coastal expansion, investment in R&D, strengthening of processing infrastructure, and fostering public-private-people partnerships will be critical for positioning India as a global leader in the sustainable seaweed economy.
Author: Sehajnoor Kaur
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Disclaimer:: The views, opinions and the data expressed in this report are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliated organization or institution.
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