India’s 11,000-km coastline supports about 4 million fishermen, offering vast potential for commercial seaweed farming, yet national output is only about 5,000 t wet weight, far below demand for carrageenan, agar and alginate, driving heavy imports. Production is dominated by Kappaphycus alvarezii in Tamil Nadu, but disease outbreaks cut yields sharply after 2013. Expanding cultivation to other maritime states, especially Gujarat with its 2,340-km coast, is vital. CSIR-CSMCRI is mapping suitable sites across India, including Kori Creek in Kutch. Due to its border location, fishermen of Kori Creek often face challenges from border security forces during fishing, making their survival difficult through fishing alone. Seaweed farming could provide alternative livelihoods and reduce migration from this resource-scarce, border region. There are no prior reports on seaweed cultivation in the Kori Creek region.
This study assessed the cultivation of K. alvarezii at three sites of Kori Creek viz. Narayan Sarovar, Pipar, and Nani Cher, using the tube net method across three cycles. Daily growth rate (DGR), yield, carrageenan and biostimulant quality were determined from the K. alvarezii grown at all three sites. An economic projection was also carried out to check the commercial suitability of the sites.
Mean DGRs were 0.51–1.22% at Narayan Sarovar, 1.86–2.26% at Pipar, and 1.34–1.91% at Nani Cher, with corresponding yields of 0.11–0.41, 0.40–1.07, and 0.34–0.69 kg fresh weight m⁻¹. Semi-refined carrageenan yield (33–45%) and gel strength (318–636 g cm⁻²) met commercial requirements.
Economic analysis (single farmer model) identified Pipar site as the most profitable site (Rs. 2,15,537/-), followed by Nani Cher (Rs. 1,34,676/-), at a raw seaweed price of Rs. 120 kg⁻¹. Further, large-scale demonstrations are recommended to better evaluate the region’s economic viability and profitability.