Indian coastline of 11,099 km with favourable conditions has immense potential for seaweed cultivation. The Research Institutions have identified 384 sites covering 24,707 hectares across the coastline of India, as suitable for seaweed cultivation. The subject matter of seaweed cultivation and its related activities has been allocated to the Department of Fisheries, Government of India (DoF, GoI) under the Allocation of Business Rules (AoBR). The DoF, GoI is implementing a flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and seaweed cultivation is one of the priority activity identified under the PMMSY to support employment generation and additional source of income to fishermen and coastal communities. The PMMSY inter-alia envisages support towards seaweed cultivation and its related activities, which are under implementation in the coastal States/Union Territories (UTs). Under the PMMSY, during last 5 years (2020-25) the projects worth ₹195 crore have been approved, including the establishment of a Seaweed Park (₹127 crore) in Tamil Nadu. Besides, financial assistance is provided to beneficiaries for installation of Rafts and monolines/tubenets, establishment of Seaweed Seedbank, Pre-feasibility Assessment studies, awareness creation, training and capacity building programs in various States and Union Territories (UTs) etc. Furthermore, Lakshadweep has been notified as a Seaweed Cluster, and the Mandapam Regional Centre of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has been notified as the Centre of Excellence for promoting seaweed farming and research activities. Subsequently, Guidelines for importing seaweed germplasm has been issued by the Department. Besides, the NITI Ayog has also released a Seaweed Policy Report for the development of this sector. An Institutional mechanism has been established by the DoF, GoI in the form of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on Seaweed Development for coordinated development of this important sector in the country. As a result of these initiatives, the seaweed production has increased from 18,890 tonnes in 2015 to 74,083 tonnes in 2024.

During last 5 years, under PMMSY the DoF, GoI has approved fisheries developmental projects of ₹897.54 crore to the State Government of Gujarat. This includes installation of Monoline/Tubenets for seaweed cultivation as requested by the State.  In addition the DoF, GoI has also taken up Seaweed cultivation in creek areas of Kutch District, Gujarat in active collaboration with State Fisheries Department, R&D Institutions including CSIR-Central Salt & Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSMCRI), ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and Border Security Force (BSF),  local fishermen, coastal communities. The DoF, GoI has also approved 03 projects viz. (i) CSMCRI (Rs.53 lakh), (ii) CMFRI (Rs.95 lakh) and (ii) M/s TCS Purple Turtle Pvt. Ltd. (Rs.68 lakh) for initiating the feasibility study of seaweed cultivation in Kori Creek areas and to initiate awareness and training for local fishermen, coastal communities. A training program on seaweed culture was organized at Lakki Village in the Creek areas of Gulf of Kutch on 05^thJune, 2023, wherein 250 villagers of 10 nearby villages (Lakhpat, Narayan Sarovar, Lakki, Medi, Rodasar, Piper, Malerasi, Gunau, Jakhau, Ashiravandh) have participated. Subsequently, a National Conference on Seaweed was organized on 27 January, 2024 at Kori Creek, Gujarat wherein nearly 450 seaweed farmers, scientists, representatives from Departments/Ministries, Govt. of Gujarat and other coastal States/UTs have participated. The ICAR-CMFRI organized a unique master trainer development programme of first batch of local (Kori Creek, Gujarat) people from 23.01.2024 to 15.02.2024 at Mandapam and Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu on implementing good management practices (GMPs) in seaweed farming technologies.

Government of Gujarat has informed that State Government also have a scheme on seaweed cultivations since 2018 and during FY 2025-26, one seaweed bank and seaweed processing unit have also been approved under the scheme to strengthen the market linkages in the State.  The State Govt of Gujarat is collaborating with ICAR-CMFRI on GIS-Driven Spatial Zonation and Sea-Space Governance Framework for Sustainable Mariculture Development in Gujarat, especially for promotion of seaweed-based activities under Viksit Gujarat Fund. Besides, The Govt of Gujarat has approved Kamdhenu University, Gandhinagar-Gujarat as a "Center of Excellence in Seaweed Research and Utilization".

This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 22nd July, 2025.

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(Release ID: 2146840)