India needs to significantly expand its seaweed sector to fully unlock the potential of the country’s blue economy, said George Kurian, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Describing seaweed as a “sunrise sector,” the minister noted that India’s contribution to global seaweed production remains less than one percent, despite worldwide output exceeding 35 million tonnes annually. He stressed that the country must capitalise on this emerging marine bio-resource to strengthen economic growth and coastal livelihoods.
Kurian made these remarks while inaugurating a three-day international symposium on “Seaweeds: Value Chains, Climate Solutions and Blue Economy Pathways” at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS).
Rapid Growth but Untapped Potential
Although India’s share in the global seaweed market remains small, the sector is expanding steadily. According to the minister, the industry is currently growing at around 9 percent annually. India’s seaweed production has increased significantly over the past decade, rising from 18,000 tonnes in 2015 to about 75,000 tonnes in 2024. However, Kurian pointed out that the country still has vast untapped potential.
He therefore called for greater investment in cultivation, value addition, and industry participation to scale up production and strengthen India’s presence in the global seaweed value chain. Since Asia currently accounts for nearly 97 percent of global seaweed production, he emphasised that India must enhance its capabilities to compete in this rapidly expanding marine bioeconomy sector.
Government Schemes Supporting Seaweed Farming
The government has already launched several initiatives to promote seaweed cultivation across coastal regions. Kurian highlighted the role of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana in encouraging seaweed farming and strengthening fisheries infrastructure.
Importantly, the scheme has supported community-based cultivation models, particularly those led by women. Successful initiatives in Ramanathapuram and Pudukottai districts of Tamil Nadu have demonstrated how seaweed farming can create sustainable livelihoods while promoting inclusive coastal development. These projects, he said, offer replicable models that can be expanded to other coastal regions of the country.
Towards a National Roadmap for 2047
During the event, A Biju Kumar, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, said the symposium would play an important role in developing a national roadmap for the seaweed sector leading up to 2047. The roadmap will align with India’s broader vision of Viksit Bharat, which aims to transform the country into a developed economy by the centenary of independence. KUFOS, he added, is working with national and international partners to promote research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable value chains in seaweed resources.
Bridging Science and Industry
Meanwhile, Bijay Kumar Behera, Chief Executive of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), emphasised the importance of stronger collaboration between research institutions and industry. He noted that KUFOS can play a key role in bridging the gap between scientific research and real-world applications, helping translate innovations in seaweed cultivation and processing into commercial opportunities. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, by fostering partnerships among academia, government, and industry, India can accelerate the development of a sustainable and globally competitive seaweed sector, he added.
