As climate change intensifies pressures on land, water, and food systems, seaweed has emerged globally as a climate-resilient, nutrient-rich, and high-value bioresource. With global seaweed production tripling since 2000 to reach 32.4 million tonnes in 2020, valued at US$13.3 billion, the sector is increasingly viewed as a cornerstone of sustainable blue economy strategies. Asia dominates the industry, contributing 97 percent of global production, led by China’s industrial-scale offshore farming and mechanised processing systems.
Seaweed’s appeal lies in its exceptional ecological and economic advantages. It grows up to 10 times faster than terrestrial plants, requires no freshwater, fertilisers, antibiotics, or arable land, and can generate equivalent biomass using less than one-tenth of the land area. Environmentally, seaweed farming improves coastal water quality, absorbs excess nutrients, mitigates ocean acidification, and enhances carbon sequestration. These attributes position seaweed as a nature-based solution for climate adaptation and mitigation.
Nutrition, Health, and Industrial Value#
Beyond its climate benefits, seaweed is a powerhouse of nutrition. Rich in bioactive compounds, it possesses antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antidiabetic properties. It contains key vitamins, high protein levels, and over 54 bioavailable trace minerals, making it a valuable ingredient in food systems, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals.
Globally, the seaweed-based food industry alone is valued at US$5 billion, while derivatives such as agar, carrageenan, and hydrocolloids collectively account for hundreds of millions of dollars annually. These compounds are widely used by multinational companies such as Unilever, Cipla, BASF, The Body Shop, and Godrej Agrovet in products ranging from wound dressings and tablets to cosmetics and food stabilisers. In India, startups like Zerocircle are innovating biodegradable plastics derived from seaweed sourced from coastal states such as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
India’s Untapped Seaweed Potential#
Despite a coastline spanning over 7,500 kilometres, India contributes less than 1 percent to global seaweed production. Fragmented governance, inconsistent markets, limited infrastructure, and weak value-chain integration have constrained growth. However, India is now attempting to capitalise on the global surge through targeted policy interventions.
India’s seaweed economy is currently valued at ₹300–500 crore, with an ambitious production target of 9.7 million tonnes by 2030. Government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) have earmarked ₹640 crore for seaweed value-chain development, while the TIFAC Seaweed Mission (2021) and research by institutions like NIOT, ICAR-CMFRI, and CSIR-CSMCRI are strengthening scientific capacity.
Techno-economic assessments indicate that an investment of US$128 million could expand seaweed farming across 26,000 hectares, generating US$96 million in revenue and creating over 108,000 full-time jobs. Seaweed farming can deliver 63 percent higher returns compared to traditional aquaculture, which typically yields around 17 percent. Additionally, the National Biofuel Policy (2018) identifies seaweed as a viable bioethanol feedstock, estimating that 10 million hectares of cultivation could produce 460 million tonnes of biomass and 6.7 billion litres of bioethanol.
Challenges to Scaling the Seaweed Economy#
Despite its promise, India’s seaweed sector faces structural challenges. Governance remains fragmented across multiple ministries, market prices are volatile, and farmers often depend on single-product value chains such as carrageenan or biofuel. This lack of diversification increases financial risk, as seen in similar initiatives in neighbouring countries.
In contrast, diversified models adopted by cooperatives and private enterprises integrate seaweed into food, feed, pharma, nutraceutical, and energy markets, enhancing resilience and profitability. Without coordinated policies, robust infrastructure, and stable markets, India’s 2030 seaweed targets risk remaining aspirational.
The Way Forward#
To unlock the full potential of seaweed farming in India, a cohesive national policy framework is essential—one that integrates infrastructure, finance, innovation, and community development. State-specific policies must reflect local ecological and social conditions, supported by clear cultivation guidelines and permanent anchoring systems.
Investments in offshore, climate-resilient farming systems, post-harvest technologies, decentralised cold chains, and processing hubs are critical. Establishing minimum procurement prices, standard pricing mechanisms, and a robust Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) framework would stabilise farmer incomes and attract investment.
Equally important is community participation. Seaweed farming has already demonstrated income potential of ₹25,000–30,000 per month under scientific management. In Chilika Lake, Odisha, women-led initiatives earn up to ₹10,000 per month from small-scale operations. Expanding self-help groups, cooperatives, and skill-development programmes can ensure inclusive and gender-responsive growth.
Credits: This article is a summary based on the original work by Poornima Vengaprath Bhattathiri, Research Assistant at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). All data, insights, and analysis are drawn from the original Expert Speak article published on January 5, 2026.
Clear Cut Climate Desk
New Delhi, UPDATED: Jan 11, 2026 09:00 IST
Written By: Nidhi Chandrikapure
