An overview on agarophyte trade in India and need for policy interventions

Abstract

Generally speaking, various seaweed resources, if properly managed, can be a renewable resource with the ability to be sustainably and commercially exploited on a global basis, according to the species available, for a variety of products of industrial importance. In recent times, agar, derived from certain red seaweeds, is the only phycocolloid to have registered a surge in demand and value. However, little emphasis has been given to this emerging opportunity in India, which to our best judgment has the potential to be a significant commercial success. This review reports on steps taken to ensure Indian self-reliance on the production of agarophytes, their resource availability, management, agar characterization, and various methods of extraction. Historically fluctuating landings have reported the availability of different agarophytes of which maximum biomass of 982 dry t for Gracilaria edulis was harvested during 1990-1991 along with 665 dry t of Gelidiella acerosa during 2002-2003. Meanwhile, data for the industrial production of agar reported ca. 197 t of food-grade agar and ca. 92 t of bacteriological grade agar annually, which is very low in quantity as opposed to domestic requirements. Despite this, farming of agarophyte holds considerable promise. A model is proposed here whereby productivity of 1 t agarophyte per day (TPD) could realize US$827,22-287,440 as net profit. Technical interventions are required in order to improve the growth and yield of commercial open-water farming of agarophytes. During the last two decades, agar imports to India increased ca. 7 times in volume and ca. 42 times in value, while export figures were ca. 198 times and ca. 149 times, respectively. This review examines the existing policies and legislations acting as constrains for the agarophyte trade and products which would provide a framework for improving the overall prospects of agar producing red seaweeds in India.