Co2 seaweed cultivation

Orginal copy right publication to the Hindu , indian Newspaper

http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/17/stories/2005061703170500.htm

Good prospects for seaweed cultivation Staff Reporter

Field experiments by CMFRI scientists show positive results

GOOD HARVEST: Red algae cultivated on an experimental basis. KOZHIKODE: Field experiments by scientists of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) here have shown that the production of red algae (Kappaphycus alvarezii), a new seaweed variety, can be increased many fold when cultivated along the Kerala coast. This, in turn, enhances the commercial value of the seaweed for the fishermen and farmers of the State. A team of scientists from the Calicut Research Centre of the CMFRI, cultivated the red algae on an experimental basis in Padanna in Kasaragod district, Thikkodi and Moorad in Kozhikode district, and recently harvested it. The cultivation was taken up in the backwaters of Padanna along with mussel farming, sub-tidal area in the sea at Thikkodi and in Kottakkal estuary at Moorad. After 60 days we got 20-fold increase of what we had sown in Padanna. In Thikkodi it was 25- fold increase in yield for the same period. This is more than what the cultivation yielded in parts of Tamil Nadu where they got only 10 to 15 fold increase on a maximum. It is a potential species of seaweed for farming along Kerala coast, says a scientist. What makes this highly multiplying red algae commercially attractive is the carrageenan (a tasteless, gelatine-like substance added to desserts as a stabiliser) extracted from it. A crude form carrageenan costs Rs.200 to Rs.300 a kilogram in the market. A semi-refined form which is used in food industries, processed meat, dairy products, pet foods, cosmetics and toothpaste, is priced at Rs.500 to Rs.600. A completely refined super fine variety will cost Rs.1,000. Pepsi has a carrageenan extraction unit in Paramakudi, 80 km from Madurai. The CMFRI had selected Padanna backwaters for the cultivation of this exotic variety as the water was saline. Also, there was exchange of water (between sea and backwaters) which helped in the cultivation of this seaweed. What is really required for this low input cultivation is clear water where exchange of water takes place and has a salinity of above 30 ppt (parts per thousand). You will get 1 kg of dried red algae from 10 kg of fresh weight red algae. You can really get at least Rs.1 lakh profit from a hectare in one season, ie from October to May (four harvests of two months each). The input, including raft made of bamboo and seaweed seed material, will cost not more than Rs1.5 lakh for cultivation in a hectare. You could get at least Rs2.5 lakhs from one hectare after the four harvests, if you just sell off the dried seaweed material, the scientist says. Reports say the demand for carrageenan has been rising by 7 to 8 per cent annually. It sells at over Rs.1 lakh a tonne in world markets. India imports most of its requirement of carrageenan. A possibility is to set up cottage industries to extract semi-refined \crude carrageenan. The extracts can be transported to places in Tamil Nadu where carrageenan extraction units are based. Since the country's internal demand for carrageenan is met now by imports, the domestic market can be tapped. Possibility of exports also can be explored. It could generate an extra income for fishermen. The CMFRI is currently exploring the feasible ways to extract carrageenan from red algae. It is also engaged in research to find out whether this exotic plant yields more in the west coast or in the east coast of the country. What makes this cultivation even more significant is its environment-friendly, non-pollution stature suitable for a State like Kerala. It also enhances fisheries resources.