Seaweed farming in India Progress and Prospects

Abstract

Seaweed farming offers immense scope as a livelihood opportunity and for developing a large number of byproducts with several applications. Seaweed farming has the advantage of low capital input, as it is a primary producer requiring no inputs. Expansion of seaweed farming in the country will improve the socioeconomic status of coastal fishermen/ farmers and will be helpful in mitigating the negative effects of climate change while protecting the marine ecosystems from ocean acidification and ocean deoxygenation. Establishment of seed banks, processing and marketing units, marine spatial planning, policies and institutional support are essential for sustaining seaweed farming.