Digital platform for stakeholders in India’s seaweed sector set to take-off

Algae Shop, a digital platform offering a one-stop solution to stakeholders in the seaweed sector, is coming soon. The online B2B marketplace, which is expected to go live in September, is expected to facilitate communication, buying, selling and promoting to formalize the sector.

The digital platform was created by Sakshi Gore, supported by the Kochi-based Center for Public Policy Research (CPPR) in collaboration with the US Consulate General in Chennai to provide better insight, access to local and international markets and other services to farmers and buyers.

Project report

Gore was a participant in a TechCamp organized by CPPR. In her project report, she said that seaweed has wide applications in industries such as agriculture, cosmetics, food, medicine, and packaging. However, the commercial cultivation of seaweed in India has been mainly limited to Tamil Nadu and some areas in Gujarat and Maharashtra despite having a coastline of more than 7,500 km.

India has a small community of about 70-120 seaweed farmers and the number is slowly rising. She said that the official players are making efforts to regulate the sector and bridge the gap between supply and demand in a sustainable manner.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has allocated Rs 640 crore aimed at increasing seaweed production. In India, there are about 844 species of seaweed reported including red, green and brown algae. But, only more than 10 types have achieved commercial success.

demand for biomass

According to FAO data, Asia contributes 98 percent of the world’s seaweed production, with China ranking first (56.8 percent) followed by Indonesia (28.6 percent) and South Korea (5 percent).

India has not yet emerged as a major producer of seaweed. However, there has been a sharp increase in the demand for seaweed biomass. It is hoped that a variety of seaweed can be cultivated in the coming years through global innovations.