10-August-2024-Editorial

SEAWEED CULTIVATION IN INDIA

Seaweed cultivation presents a significant opportunity for sustainable development in India. Recognizing its potential, NITI Aayog has proposed a comprehensive roadmap to boost seaweed production, addressing various aspects from research to market promotion.

This strategic initiative aims to harness the environmental, economic, and social benefits of seaweed, contributing to India’s growth and sustainability.

What are Seaweeds?

Definition and Characteristics:

• Seaweeds are marine, non-flowering algae that lack roots, stems, and leaves.
• They play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, forming underwater forests known as kelp forests, which provide habitat for marine life such as fish, snails, and sea urchins.

Classification:

Seaweeds are categorized into three main groups:

• Green (Chlorophyta)
• Brown (Phaeophyta)
• Red (Rhodophyta)

Notable Species:

• Examples include Gelidiella acerosa, Gracilaria edulis, Gracilaria crassa, Gracilaria verrucosa, Sargassum spp., and Turbinaria spp.

Global and Indian Production Scenario

Global Overview:

• In 2019, global seaweed production (both cultivation and collection) reached about 35.8 million tonnes.
• Eastern and Southeastern Asia are the leading regions, accounting for 97.4% of global production, with Indonesia being a major producer.
• The seaweed industry is expected to grow at a rate of 2.3% annually from 2022 to 2030.

Indian Context:

• India harvests approximately 33,345 tonnes of seaweed annually from natural beds, mainly in Tamil Nadu.
• Despite this, India contributes less than 1% to global seaweed production, with an annual revenue of around Rs 200 crores.
• The government aims to increase the sector’s share in agriculture to 9% by 2024-25 from 7.28% in 2018-19.

Import and Export:

• In 2021, the global seaweed market was valued at USD 9.9 billion.
• Key trading nations include China, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Malaysia.
• Korea is a leading exporter, while China excels in seaweed-based hydrocolloids.

Major Seaweed Beds in India:

• Significant resources are found along the Tamil Nadu and Gujarat coasts, as well as in Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Other notable areas include Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Goa, Karwar, Varkala, Vizhinjam, and Chilka.

Government Initiatives

Seaweed Mission (2021):

• This initiative focuses on commercializing seaweed farming and processing, aiming to expand cultivation along India’s 7,500-kilometre coastline.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):

• Supports seaweed cultivation through various schemes.

Commercialization of Seaweed Products:

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have developed seaweed-based products like CadalminTM Immunalgin and CadalminTM Antihypercholesterolemic extract, enhancing immunity and combating cholesterol.

Multi-Purpose Seaweed Park:

• Established in Tamil Nadu, this park aims to support seaweed-related activities.

Uses and Benefits of Seaweeds

Nutritional Value:

• Rich in calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and vitamins A, B1, B12, C, D, E, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and riboflavin.
• Contains essential amino acids beneficial for health.

Medicinal Benefits:

• Seaweeds have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
• Some species may have cancer-fighting potential.

Manufacturing Uses:

• Utilized as binding agents in products like toothpaste and fruit jelly.
• Employed in cosmetics for their emollient properties.

Commercial Value:

• Valued for bioactive compounds, manure, fodder, and polysaccharides like agar, algin, and carrageenan.
• Used in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and mining.

Agricultural Benefits:

• Acts as a crop biostimulant, enhancing productivity.
• Seaweed cultivation can significantly boost fish farmers’ incomes and support coastal livelihoods.

Environmental Benefits:

• Seaweeds reduce carbon footprints by sequestering CO2.
• Mariculture seaweed sequesters up to 57.64 metric tonnes of CO2 per hectare annually.

NITI Aayog’s Recommendations

Policy and Regulation:

• Amend Allocation of Business Rules to assign seaweed value chain development to the Department of Fisheries.
• Transfer seaweed export and certification oversight to MPEDA and streamline certification processes.

Financial and Risk Management:

• Include seaweed-related credit in priority sector lending by RBI.
• Develop comprehensive insurance schemes for seaweed farming, covering crop, life, and infrastructure risks.

Investment and Infrastructure:

• Encourage public and private investments in seaweed sectors.
• Create a data portal with geo-tagged sites and logistics centers for processing.

Skill Development:

• Offer educational programs on seaweed cultivation and management through various institutions.
• Promote the Seaweed Farmer Service Platform for data-based decision-making.

Conclusion

The strategic development of seaweed cultivation in India, supported by NITI Aayog’s comprehensive roadmap, holds the potential to enhance environmental sustainability, economic growth, and community welfare. By addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities, India can capitalize on seaweed’s benefits, contributing to its overall development goals.