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Seaweed based products are increasingly helping farmers improve soil health and reduce fertiliser costs, as demonstrated by a farming system in Marlborough, New Zealand. Seaweed has historically been used in New Zealand agriculture, with Māori communities using native seaweeds (rimurimu) for soil conditioning and food production. Commercial use expanded in the 1970s and 1980s with liquid seaweed fertilisers, and further developed in the mid 1990s when companies such as AgriSea began producing seaweed based soil and plant biostimulants.

Marlborough farmer Bryce McIntyre integrated seaweed biostimulants into his pasture and vineyard management about four to five years ago to improve soil health rather than relying solely on conventional fertilisers. Since adopting a soil focused approach that combines seaweed products, grazing management and pasture programmes, his annual fertiliser spending has dropped to about half of previous levels. He now runs higher cattle stocking rates and reports stronger pasture growth and resilience during dry periods.

AgriSea produces agricultural products using sustainably collected beach cast seaweed processed through a cold, chemical free extraction method. According to AgriSea, farmers across New Zealand are increasingly combining conventional fertilisers with seaweed biostimulants to enhance soil microbiology and improve nutrient availability.

Beyond soil health benefits, research is also exploring certain seaweed species as livestock feed additives to reduce methane emissions. While seaweed is not a standalone solution, it is emerging as an effective component of sustainable, soil focused farming systems that can improve productivity and lower input costs.

India has significant untapped potential in the seaweed sector, which could strengthen climate resilience and improve coastal livelihoods, according to B. Madhusoodana Kurup, Founder Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS). Speaking at a national seminar on “Indian Seaweed Industry: Opportunities and Challenges for a Sustainable Future” during the International Seaweed Conference at KUFOS, Kurup highlighted seaweed farming as a promising and rapidly emerging industry in India.

He noted that seaweed cultivation is relatively low-cost and can be harvested within 40–50 days, making it a viable livelihood option for coastal communities. Kurup described the sector as a convergence of ecology, economy, and equity, as it supports environmental sustainability while generating income and employment.

Kurup praised KUFOS for its initiatives in advancing research and collaboration in the seaweed sector and urged the university to lead broader efforts to promote seaweed development across Kerala, India, and globally. He emphasised the need for innovative cultivation technologies and stronger processing, marketing, and value chains to unlock the industry’s full potential.

Highlighting the environmental benefits, he said seaweed ecosystems can play an important role in climate change mitigation and resilience. Kurup also recommended creating a scientific map of suitable coastal regions in India for seaweed cultivation to guide future expansion of the industry.

Two African innovators have secured places among the Top 20 global finalists of the 2026 Global Change Award, one of the fashion industry’s most influential sustainability challenges, signalling the continent’s growing role in reshaping the future of materials, climate technology and circular manufacturing.

Alaska’s newest kelp hatchery recently finished its first growing season in a mobile shipping container in Kodiak. The hatchery aims to help kelp farmers on Kodiak Island boost how much they can grow.

A new production method for PHAs is being scaled up by Uluu (Perth, Western Australia; www.uluu.com.au) using seaweed, microbes and saltwater. “First, we hydrolyze the seaweed, breaking it down into fermentable sugars before separating the sugar-rich liquid from the remaining solids.

Researchers from the Center of Excellence in Marine Biotechnology at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), in collaboration with Macro Algae Industries, have launched a pilot seaweed farm near the Al Sawadi Islands in Barka to evaluate the commercial feasibility of cultivating native seaweed species in Omani waters.

Holdfast & Stipe, founded by Nikki Spil, helps growers make their plants and cut flowers healthier and stronger using the natural power of seaweed, reducing the need for artificial inputs.