Navigating the tides: small-holder farmers charting the future of seaweed farming

Written by Simon Davis, Managing Director of SEADLING

Within the depths of our oceans lies a valuable resource often overlooked: seaweed. Packed with nutrients and offering significant ecological benefits, seaweed has emerged as a key player in creating a more resilient and equitable global food system. Yet despite its potential, there are still many hurdles to overcome and the industry would benefit greatly from industrialisation. As this industry expands and modernises it is tempting to think that large-scale and plantation-style farming is the way forward. But this is not necessarily the best strategy for seaweed farming. With the help of technology, small-holder farmers are ready to drive seaweed farming toward a more sustainable and successful future. 

A farmer wades through shallow water, tending his seaweed farm during a low tide. Image: SEADLING

Small-holder seaweed farms in Semporna, Malaysian Borneo.

In countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines, farming is done by coastal communities and for them, seaweed isn’t about producing food; it’s a lifeline as they struggle to find sustainable livelihoods as wild fish stocks decline. Needing minimal land and freshwater, seaweed also offers a sustainable solution to food security by utilising vacant ocean spaces for food production. Seaweed's carbon-negative properties also make it a powerful ally in the fight against climate change, as we move to de-carbonise our global food supply chains.

One of the many seaweed lines stands next to a traditional Bajau stilt house. Image: SEADLING

Despite its many benefits, seaweed farming faces several challenges that threaten its long-term viability. Small-holder farmers, who form the backbone of the seaweed industry in many regions, often lack access to resources to develop new technologies and drive innovation. Therefore, issues like poor seed quality, labour intensive techniques, poor farming infrastructure, and a lack of technological integration hamper productivity and limit small-holder’s capacity to meet growing demand.

As we move towards industrializing and scaling up the seaweed industry, it’s crucial to balance economic goals with social equity. While large-scale plantation-style farming might be more efficient in some respects, it could marginalize small-holder farmers and increase socioeconomic disparities. By focusing on empowering small-holder farmers with technology and promoting inclusive growth, we can ensure that the benefits of technological advancement are shared equally among all stakeholders and ensure long term sustainability.

A woman farmer is explaining her seaweed to a SEADLING member. Image: SEADLING

In developing countries, a decentralized production model using small-holder farmers can provide a more resilient and flexible production system, better equipped to respond to local challenges and opportunities, leading to long term productivity advantages.

In other areas of agriculture, it is common for some crops to thrive under the care of smallholder farmers who can provide the nuanced care and attention they need. For example, crops like rice, coffee and cocoa are still mostly produced by smallholder operations. These farmers often have a deep understanding of local ecosystems, allowing them to adapt farming practices to suit the specific conditions of their land. The same applies for seaweed farming. This personalized approach promotes biodiversity and resilience, crucial factors in the face of environmental fluctuations and climate change.

A farmer ties seaweed onto the rope before planting it in the water using the longline method. Image: SEADLING

Furthermore, security is a major challenge for ocean industries, where materials like ropes and floats are commonly stolen if left unsupervised. Private plantation-style farms would need constant surveillance to prevent theft of crops and equipment, whereas this issue is overcome in small-holder farming through the traditional community networks that unite to provide common security.

The key to sustainable industrialisation of the seaweed industry is empowering small-holder farmers with their own technology. Better seed quality can boost growth rates and yields ultimately leading to higher productivity for farmers. Hatcheries to mass-produce seed can help farmers pivot between varieties as seasons and market demand changes while providing security in case of wipe-outs due to storms. Machinery designed to fit onto a small boat or pickup truck will replace labour-intensive activities and improve efficiency along the value chain. Environmental insights from sensors and satellites allow farmers to make data-driven decisions about when to harvest or where to establish new farms. New seaweed varieties, either bred or identified from wild populations, that are resistant to diseases and resilient to rising ocean temperatures will secure the long-term viability of the industry.

Halim and his wife stand with the SEADLING team at the edge of Halim's platform used for spreading seaweed out to dry in the sun. Image: SEADLING

Looking ahead, the future of seaweed farming appears promising, driven by the creativity and resilience of tech-enabled small-holder farmers. With ongoing investment in research, innovation, and capacity building, we can unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth and development in the seaweed industry. Let’s work together to navigate the tides of change and chart a course toward a more prosperous and resilient future for seaweed farming and coastal communities worldwide.

SEADLING is an industry-leading seaweed biotech company dedicated to unlocking the full potential of seaweed through innovation and technology