Global seaweed summit gets underway at CMFRI
KOCHI, 29 January 2026: Seaweed production in India has increased nearly threefold over the last decade, rising from 18,890 tonnes in 2015 to 74,083 tonnes in 2024, Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian said on Thursday.
He was delivering the inaugural address online at the 7th India International Seaweed Expo and Summit at the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
“India is poised for a major expansion in seaweed cultivation and seaweed-based industries, with the sector identified as a key driver of sustainable livelihoods and coastal development”, he said. Highlighting policy support, he said focused government initiatives would help scale up cultivation, boost processing capacity and create new employment opportunities, especially for fishers and women in coastal regions.
Referring to India’s enormous scope for seaweed cultivation and industrial demand, the Minister said seaweed was included as an output component under the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, which covers 100 aspirational districts across the country. “In Kerala, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts were selected under this initiative”, he added.
The two-day event is jointly organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, CMFRI and the Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI).
Dr B K Behera, Chief Executive of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), in his presidential address emphasised the need to establish large-scale processing plants to support the commercial production of seaweeds. “Stronger collaboration among various ministries and government agencies is required to accelerate the promotion of the sector”, he said.
Expo highlights industrial scope
The expo highlighted the vast industrial potential of seaweeds, showcasing a wide range of seaweed-derived products and species in wet and dried forms. Exhibits included food items such as seaweed-based nutritional powders, pakwadas, jams, sauces, milk thickeners and gelling agents. Value additions such as seaweed soaps, seaweed-based plastics, handmade seaweed paper, aqua gel, bio-fertilisers, feeds and air-freshener gels are also on display.
Bringing together diplomats, scientists, investors and entrepreneurs, the expo serves as a major B2B networking platform, fostering partnerships and business opportunities across the seaweed value chain. Representatives from over 10 countries, including the U.S., Russia, Australia, France, Scotland, Ireland, Maldives, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Tanzania, are participating in the summit.
Dr J K Jena, Sagar Mehra, Dr Shine Kumar C S, Dr Grinson George, Dr Kannan Srinivasan, Dr George Ninan, Dr Pradeep Kumar Sharma, Vinay James Kynadi and Dr Johnson B spoke on the occasion.
