Lok Sabha Question No. 1714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Seaweed Farming
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1714 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## Seaweed Farming

## 1714. Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding the present extent of seaweed farming in the country including the total area under cultivation, State-wise including Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) the details regarding the list of schemes, missions and policy initiatives currently in force to promote seaweed cultivation, value addition and market linkages in the country;
- (c) the details regarding total number of beneficiaries covered under such schemes in the country during the last five years, State-wise including Andhra Pradesh;
- (d) the details regarding the total funds allocated, sanctioned, released and utilised for development of seaweed farming and allied infrastructure across India during the last five years, State-wise including Andhra Pradesh;
- (e) the  details  regarding  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  enhance  domestic utilisation  of  seaweed  and  promote demand-led growth of the seaweed economy in the country during the last five years; and
- (f) whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  steps  to  increase  awareness  on seaweed farming in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

- (a): India with a coastline of 11,099 km has immense potential for seaweed cultivation. The site identification and mapping are carried out by research institutes namely ICARCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI). As on date, total of 384 potential sites covering 24707 ha area have been identified for seaweed cultivation across the Coastal States/UTs including Andhra Pradesh. The details of the potential area under active seaweed cultivation including Andhra Pradesh is given at Annexure-I .
- (b) The Department of Fisheries, Government of India is promoting seaweed cultivation, value addition and market linkages through its schemes, initiatives and policy measures. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) (implemented during 202021 to 2025-26) seaweed cultivation is supported as an priority activity and assistance is provided towards installation of rafts, monolines and tubenets, establishment of seaweed seed banks and hatcheries, setting up of a Multipurpose Seaweed Park, and support for training, capacity building, research and pre-feasibility studies.

(c):     The projects approved under PMMSY are at various stages of implementation at the State level. As per the details provided by the State Governments/Union Territories and research institutes, the details of beneficiaries covered under various SHGs, Women groups and as individual farmers including Andhra Pradesh is at Annexure-II .

(d) Under the PMMSY, during last 5 years (2020-25) the projects worth ₹198.17 crore have been approved towards seaweed cultivation and its allied activities. Out of the approved projects, details of funds allocated, sanctioned to States/UTs for development of seaweed farming and allied infrastructure across India during the last five years are at Annexure III .

(e) to (f) The Department of Fisheries, Government of India is taking steps to enhance the domestic utilisation of seaweed, promote demand-led growth of the seaweed economy and increase awareness on seaweed farming. Additionally, Lakshadweep has been designated as  a  Seaweed  Cluster  and  the  Mandapam  Regional  Centre  of  ICAR-Central  Marine Fisheries  Research  Institute  (CMFRI)  has  been  notified  as  a  Centre  of  Excellence  for seaweed  development  to strengthen research, technology dissemination and skill development. The Multipurpose Seaweed Park approved in Tamil Nadu is aimed at integrated cultivation, processing and product development, and encouragement of seaweed-based products for food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural uses. 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.

Awareness generation and capacity building for seaweed cultivation are being carried out through training, demonstrations, exposure visits and master trainer development programmes  under    Good  Management  Practices  (GMPs)  organised  by  the  National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) in association with State Fisheries Departments and research  institutes  such  as  ICAR-CMFRI  and  CSIR-CSMCRI.    Government  of  Andhra Pradesh  has  informed  that  they  have  undertaken  capacity  building  &  skill  development programmes for total 1,440 number of self Help Groups & fisherfolk in 12 Coastal Districts with financial assistance of GCF project and AFCOF-CBBO funds.

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Statement referred in the part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1714 for answer on 10 th  February, 2026 regarding 'Seaweed Cultivation'.

| Year           | Area (in Ha)   | Area (in Ha)   | Area (in Ha)   | Area (in Ha)   | Area (in Ha)   |
|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
| Year           | 2020-2021      | 2021-2022      | 2022-2023      | 2023-2024      | 2024-2025      |
| Tamil Nadu     | 69.26          | 87.96          | 99.94          | 104.18         | 107.93         |
| Maharashtra    | -              | 0.12           | 0.21           | 0.12           | -              |
| Gujarat        | -              | 1.41           | 2.32           | 3.94           | 5.86           |
| Odisha         | 0.40           | 0.20           | -              | -              | -              |
| Andhra Pradesh |                | 1.01           | 1.01           | 1.01           | 1.01           |
| Karnataka      | 0.04           | 0.04           | 0.04           | -              | -              |
| Lakshadweep    | 0.0016         | 0.020          | 0.028          | 0.008          | 0.008          |

Annexure-II

Statement referred in the part (c) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1714 for answer on 10 th  February, 2026 regarding 'Seaweed Cultivation'.

| Year           |   Members engaged in seaweed cultivation |
|----------------|------------------------------------------|
| Tamil Nadu     |                                     7230 |
| Gujarat        |                                      378 |
| Andhra Pradesh |                                      120 |
| Lakshadweep    |                                       40 |

Annexure-III

Statement referred in the part (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1714 for answer on 10 th  February, 2026 regarding 'Seaweed Cultivation'.

Table-1: Approved units of Establishment of Seaweed culture rafts including inputs (Rs. In lakh)

|       |                    | Total of 2020-25 (till date)   | Total of 2020-25 (till date)   | Total of 2020-25 (till date)   |
|-------|--------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| Sl.N  | Name of the States | Physical (No.)                 | Proj. Cost                     | GoI Share                      |
| 1     | Andhra Pradesh     | 26000                          | 390                            | 115                            |
| 2     | Karnataka          | 10000                          | 150                            | 45                             |
| 3     | Lakshadweep        | 500                            | 9                              | 5                              |
| 4     | Maharashtra        | 1000                           | 15                             | 5                              |
| 5     | Tamil Nadu         | 9745                           | 146.18                         | 77                             |
| Total | Total              | 47245                          | 710.18                         | 247                            |

## Table-2:  Approved  units  for  Establishment  of  Seaweed  culture  with  Monoline/  tubenet Method including inputs

(Rs. In lakh)

(Rs. In lakh)

|       |                    | Total of 2020-25 (till date)   | Total of 2020-25 (till date)   | Total of 2020-25 (till date)   | Total of 2020-25 (till date)   |
|-------|--------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| Sl.N  | Name of the States | Physical (No.)                 | Proj. Cost                     | GoI Share                      | Expected Production (tonnes)   |
| 1     | Andhra Pradesh     | 41200                          | 3296                           | 902                            | 18,540                         |
| 2     | Gujarat            | 400                            | 32                             | 5                              | 90                             |
| 3     | Karnataka          | 21000                          | 1680                           | 509                            | 9,450                          |
| 4     | Lakshadweep        | 250                            | 125                            | 75                             | 56                             |
| 5     | Tamil Nadu         | 1031                           | 82                             | 30                             | 238.95                         |
| Total | Total              | 63881                          | 5215.00                        | 1521                           | 28374.95                       |

## Table-3: Approved units of new Seaweed banks

| Sl.N   | Name of the States   | 2020-21        | 2020-21    | 2020-21   |
|--------|----------------------|----------------|------------|-----------|
| Sl.N   | Name of the States   | Physical (No.) | Proj. Cost | GoI Share |
| 1.     | Daman & Diu*         | 1              | 120        | 120       |
|        | Total                | 1              | 120        | 120       |

## Table-4: Approved Establishment of Seaweed Park under Integrated Aquapark Component

(Rs. In lakh)

|      | Name of the   | 2022-23        | 2022-23    | 2022-23   |
|------|---------------|----------------|------------|-----------|
| Sl.N | States        | Physical (No.) | Proj. Cost | GoI Share |
| 1    | Tamil Nadu    | 1              | 12771      | 7516      |

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