A commercial-scale seaweed farming initiative in Lakshadweep, guided by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Cochin, has emerged as a huge success, demonstrating the potential of seaweed as a new economic driver for the archipelago.
The project, supported by the TSC-Purple Turtle Company, Tuticorin, and the Lakshadweep Administration, is expected to boost local incomes, particularly for women, while strengthening the region’s blue economy.
Pilot Farming Launched on Chetlath Island
The enterprise began on Chetlath, one of Lakshadweep’s smaller islands, home to nearly 2,500 residents. By September 2022, six plots of 100 tube nets each were established with a seed stock of 3 tons per plot.
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The first harvest, completed in 45 days, produced 15 tons of seaweed.
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Using this yield, the farm expanded to 30 plots with 3,000 net tubes by November 2022.
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Subsequent harvests occurred every 30–45 days, and cultivation spread to Kiltan and Kadmat atolls.
Women Empowerment Through Seaweed Farming
Women formed the core workforce of the initiative. About 20 women from local Self Help Groups managed activities including:
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Preparing tube nets
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Seeding
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Harvesting
The project generated nearly 3,000 man-days over eight months, with an average daily earning of Rs 380.
The program’s success drew the attention of Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupathi Murmu, during her first visit to Lakshadweep in April 2023. A delegation of women beneficiaries met her in Kavaratti on April 19, 2023.
Scientific Backing and Capacity Building
The potential for seaweed cultivation in Lakshadweep has been researched by ICAR-CMFRI since August 2020 under the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) program.
Key initiatives included:
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Farming trials of commercially important species such as Gracilaria edulis and Acanthophora spicifera
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Training local men and women in large-scale seaweed cultivation
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Consultations with stakeholders, including local farmers, researchers, and the government
These steps led to the first commercial-scale pilot farming in Lakshadweep by TSC-Purple Turtle Company.
Future of Seaweed Enterprise in Lakshadweep
ICAR-CMFRI recommends a two-pronged approach:
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Private companies cultivate high-value seaweed species using local labor.
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Contract farming, where locals grow seaweed for companies, creating additional livelihood opportunities, especially for women.
The Lakshadweep Administration is actively promoting Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) and Mudra Loans to support fisheries and seaweed farming.
Research, Infrastructure, and Value Addition
Planned developments include:
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Seaweed hatcheries and seed reserves
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Health monitoring and incubation facilities for mariculture
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Processing and value addition for seaweed products
Ongoing research focuses on new species cultivation and standardized farming protocols.
ICAR-CMFRI is working with NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and the UT Administration of Lakshadweep to:
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Generate scientific data
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Build skills and provide technical support
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Develop policy frameworks for sustainable and inclusive seaweed enterprise growth
