Context:
India’s seaweed industry to hit Rs 3,277 cr in 10 years, needs policy push with the potential to positively impact 1.6 million people, according to a new report by Primus Partners.
About the Seaweed
The term “seaweed” is a misnomer, as it refers to marine organisms essential to marine life, unlike land weeds that harm their habitats.
Seaweed refers to various types of marine plants and macroalgae found in rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water, It doesn’t require land, freshwater, or fertilizer.
There are over ten thousand species of seaweed globally, classified into three main categories:
- Green Seaweeds (Chlorophyta)
- Brown Seaweeds (Phaeophyta)
- Red Seaweed (Rhodophyta)
It is a marine plant that grows in oceans and seas, thriving in shallow water.
It is used in many products like food, cosmetics, fertilizers, and even in medicine.
It is now known as the ‘Medical Food of the 21st Century. ‘
Health Benefits:
- Rich in nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
- It contains 54 trace elements and essential nutrients that help fight diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis, heart problems, and high blood pressure.
- It also boosts immunity and keeps the body healthy.
- Many types of seaweeds contain anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agents.
| Industry | Use of Seaweed |
| Agriculture: | · Used as a natural bio-stimulant to enhance plant growth and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. |
| Food: | · Serves as a rich source of nutrients, commonly found in soups, salads, dietary supplements, and low-calorie foods. |
| Pharmaceuticals: | · Alginates and carrageenan from seaweed are used in medicines for gastric reflux and as stabilizers in vaccines. |
| Cosmetic: | · Relied upon as a moisturizing and anti-aging agent in skincare and haircare products.· Used as softeners (emollients) in organic cosmetics. |
| Industrial Applications: | · Used in textile and food processing industries for thickening and stabilizing processes.· Serving as binding agents (emulsifiers) in products like toothpaste and fruit jelly. |
| Bioenergy: | · Has potential as a source of bioethanol and biogas, offering an alternative to fossil fuels. |
India’s Initiatives to Boost Seaweed Farming
- PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana: To boost seaweed farming, increasing production to 1.12 million tonnes in the next 5 years.
- Seaweed Mission for commercial farming of seaweeds and its processing for value addition towards boosting the national economy.
- Use of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) and Mudra Loans with an aim to provide financial assistance to small and medium-scale seaweed farmers.
- The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) Seaweed Cultivation Scheme supports the cultivation of high-value species such as Kappaphycus and Gracilaria.
- Skill development initiatives such as the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative are training coastal communities, entrepreneurs, and researchers in seaweed cultivation and value-added processing.