Current Affairs Topics Archive
International Relations Economics Polity & Governance Environment & Ecology Science & Technology Internal Security Geography Social Issues Art & Culture Modern History

Call to unlock India’s seaweed potential for climate, coastal livelihood growth

March 06, 2026 4 min read Environment & Ecology Economics GS3
On This Page ▼

What Happened

  • Experts have called for unlocking India's seaweed cultivation potential to boost climate resilience and coastal livelihoods, with B. Madhusoodana Kurup of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) highlighting the sector's transformative possibilities.
  • India has identified 384 potential seaweed cultivation sites covering 24,707 hectares along its 11,099 km coastline, according to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
  • Currently, 7,230 members in Tamil Nadu, 378 in Gujarat, 120 in Andhra Pradesh, and 40 in Lakshadweep are engaged in seaweed cultivation.
  • The government has invested Rs 198.17 crore in seaweed cultivation and related activities over the past five years (2020-25) under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
  • India's seaweed sector is currently valued at Rs 300-500 crore, with a target to reach 9.7 million tonnes of production by 2030.
  • KUFOS is hosting SEAWEED 2026, India's first international seaweed symposium, to showcase research and marine innovation.

Static Topic Bridges

Blue Economy and India's Ocean Policy

India's Blue Economy framework aims to harness the economic potential of marine and coastal resources sustainably. With a coastline of 11,099 km, an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.37 million sq km, and 7,517 km of navigable waterways, India has significant marine economic potential. The India Blue Economy 2.0 report and the Sagarmala Programme form the policy backbone for ocean-based development.

  • The Blue Economy is estimated to contribute approximately 4% to India's GDP.
  • India's EEZ is the 18th largest in the world at 2.37 million sq km.
  • The Deep Ocean Mission (2021), with a budget of Rs 4,077 crore, aims to explore deep-sea resources including polymetallic nodules, deep-sea biodiversity, and ocean climate change advisory services.
  • The National Fisheries Policy 2020 integrates seaweed cultivation as part of the broader fisheries development strategy.
  • Seaweed cultivation is identified as a key component of sustainable coastal livelihoods, requiring minimal capital investment and no freshwater inputs.

Connection to this news: The call to scale up seaweed farming aligns with India's Blue Economy vision, positioning the sector as a bridge between marine resource utilisation, climate action, and poverty alleviation in coastal communities.

Seaweed as a Climate Change Mitigation Tool (Blue Carbon)

Seaweed cultivation is increasingly recognised as a nature-based solution for climate change mitigation. Marine ecosystems including seaweed beds, mangroves, and seagrasses sequester carbon at rates significantly higher than terrestrial forests, earning them the designation of "blue carbon" ecosystems.

  • Seaweed can absorb carbon dioxide at rates 5-20 times higher per unit area than terrestrial forests.
  • Seaweed-based biostimulants reduce the need for chemical fertilisers by 15-25%, indirectly reducing nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture.
  • Seaweed does not require freshwater, arable land, or chemical fertilisers for cultivation, making it one of the most sustainable forms of aquaculture.
  • India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement include a target of creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through forests and tree cover by 2030.
  • The integration of blue carbon into India's climate strategy could supplement terrestrial carbon sequestration efforts.

Connection to this news: The emphasis on seaweed's climate resilience potential positions it as a tool for India to meet its NDC targets while simultaneously supporting coastal livelihoods, a dual benefit that aligns with sustainable development goals.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Fisheries Development

The PMMSY, launched in May 2020 with an investment of Rs 20,050 crore over five years (2020-25), is the flagship scheme for transforming the fisheries sector, including seaweed cultivation. It aims to achieve the Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector.

  • Rs 640 crore has been earmarked specifically for the seaweed value chain under PMMSY.
  • Rs 194.09 crore has been allocated for key infrastructure including a Multipurpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu and a Seaweed Brood Bank in Daman and Diu.
  • Approvals have been granted for 46,095 seaweed rafts and 65,330 monoline tube nets across coastal regions.
  • The scheme targets an increase in fish production from 137.58 lakh tonnes (2018-19) to 220 lakh tonnes by 2024-25.
  • PMMSY has a specific component for benefiting fishers, fish farmers, fish workers, and seaweed cultivators from economically weaker sections.

Connection to this news: The Rs 198.17 crore investment in seaweed over the past five years represents a fraction of the potential, with experts urging a more ambitious scale-up to match the 9.7 million tonne production target by 2030.

Key Facts & Data

  • Identified cultivation sites: 384 sites across 24,707 hectares
  • India's coastline: 11,099 km
  • Current cultivators: 7,230 (Tamil Nadu), 378 (Gujarat), 120 (Andhra Pradesh), 40 (Lakshadweep)
  • Government investment (2020-25): Rs 198.17 crore
  • Current sector value: Rs 300-500 crore
  • Production target: 9.7 million tonnes by 2030
  • PMMSY total investment: Rs 20,050 crore
  • Seaweed value chain allocation: Rs 640 crore
  • India's EEZ: 2.37 million sq km