Farming seaweed: the miracle crop

Off the coast of southern India, women are farming seaweed. Scientists have described this as a 'miracle' plant because it can absorb more CO2 than trees.

The government is now looking at using seaweed to help reduce greenhouse gases, and this will help the marine environment. It also creates jobs for local communities, where work and support are often needed.

This woman can now enjoy the benefits.

Mutha Muthuvel: "The profit in other jobs is not as much. With seaweed farming, for three months there isn't any returns. But after putting in the hard work, in the fourth month, we collect all the seaweed and we get a lot of profit and we're happy."

The seaweed is placed in frames, and each frame produces 200 kilogrammes in six weeks. These locals have increased production from 10 to 50 frames, but they are watchful of the fish that depend on it. They avoid farming all through the year to protect the sea life.

The women can now afford to educate their children.

Lakshmi Murgesan: "Earlier, I used to think I wouldn't be able to educate my children. But after doing this seaweed business, I've been able to send my children to college."

Seaweed has many different uses, for example, in healthcare, cosmetics, food production and fertilisers. It's seen as a miracle plant because it's so environmentally friendly. It doesn't require land or fresh water, and it absorbs carbon dioxide and returns oxygen to the marine environment.

Globally, India is the third greatest producer of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Now, the Indian government has promised it will provide $85 million for seaweed farming over the next five years.

However, seaweed farming isn't without its risks.

Lakshmi Murgesan: "When we go and collect the seaweed, the seabed is quite rocky. And when we walk, we sometimes slip and fall. So we have to be a bit careful. And then there are fish that can bite, that is also one of the dangers."

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