George Kurian, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying releasing the souvenir at international symposium on Seaweeds: Value Chains, Climate Solutions and Blue Economy Pathways at Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies
Describing seaweed as a “sunrise sector”, he said the country’s contribution remains less than one per cent despite production exceeding 35 million tonnes.
Highlighting the vast untapped potential for growth, the Minister pointed out that the seaweed sector in India is growing at nearly 9 per cent annually and emphasised the need to expand cultivation, value addition, and industry participation. Since Asia accounts for nearly 97 per cent of global seaweed production, he stressed the need to strengthen the country’s position in the emerging marine bio-resource sector.
The Minister was inaugurating the 3-day international symposium on Seaweeds: Value Chains, Climate Solutions and Blue Economy Pathways at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS).
India’s seaweed production has increased from 18, 000 tonnes tonnes in 2015 to 75,000 tonnes in 2024.
He highlighted the role of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana in promoting seaweed farming and cited successful women-led cultivation initiatives in Ramanathapuram and Pudukottai districts of Tamil Nadu as models for inclusive coastal development, he said.
National roadmap
A Biju Kumar, Vice Chancellor, KUFOS, said the symposium would contribute to the preparation of a national roadmap for the seaweed sector leading up to 2047, aligning with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat. KUFOS, in collaboration with national and international partners, aims to promote research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable value chains in seaweed resources.
KUFOS can bridge the gap between science and society in the seaweed sector in India, said Bijay Kumar Behera, Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).
Published on March 5, 2026