GET IN TOUCH
- Please wait...
On February 17, 2025, the Department of Fisheries (DoF) under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock hosted an inception meeting to launch the Seaweed Value Chain Study. Commissioned by GIZ and led by LightCastle Partners, the project aims to assess the long-term potential of Bangladesh’s seaweed industry. It will include market analysis, evaluations of processing capabilities, exploration of international opportunities, institutional development, and cost-benefit assessments to support sustainable seaweed farming.
The meeting, chaired by Mohammed Eyasin, Deputy Director of the Blue Economy at the DoF, brought together representatives from the DoF, GIZ, LightCastle Partners, and Esolve International Ltd., along with researchers and academicians.
As part of the project, LightCastle has conducted a thorough secondary research and developed a robust methodology for the value chain study. The project team from LightCastle Partners presented their secondary research findings, outlining the project’s objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes to the stakeholders present. The discussion spotlighted global market opportunities, emphasizing how Bangladesh could carve out its space in the booming seaweed industry. A pro-poor approach was emphasized, integrating public health, gender inclusion, and economic benefits for underserved coastal communities. The team also examined industrial-scale production prospects, challenges, and a comparative analysis of global leaders like Indonesia and Malaysia. Identifying commercially viable seaweed species for large-scale production in Bangladesh was a focal point.
Following the presentation, Dr. Muhammad Tanvir Hossain Chowdhury, Senior Assistant Director of Blue Economy at the Department of Fisheries, underscored the critical issues of post-harvest losses, quality preservation, and the urgent need for strategic market development to enhance domestic seaweed consumption. Subject matter experts delved into the development opportunities for seaweed cultivation techniques, strategies to tackle post-harvest losses and ensure quality preservation, as well as the market potential and profitability of seaweed farming. They also discussed ways to raise consumer awareness and promote seaweed consumption in Bangladesh. Additionally, the experts highlighted the need for national infrastructure development to support large-scale seaweed cultivation. Mohammed Eyasin, Deputy Director of Blue Economy at the Department of Fisheries, emphasized the importance of profitability assessments for small-scale farmers to identify income-generating motivators and encourage grassroots farmers, especially women, to explore entrepreneurship opportunities.
As part of this effort, the study will conduct a cost-benefit analysis as a critical aspect of the project to encourage farmers to adopt seaweed farming. Stakeholders further underscored the need for awareness-building efforts to promote seaweed as a viable industry and the development of a comprehensive national database to strengthen the value chain. The LightCastle team will collaborate with GIZ on three key milestones throughout the project: first, assessing the current state of seaweed cultivation in Bangladesh. This will involve field research using both quantitative and qualitative methods, including a survey of 120 farmers in the Barisal-Patuakhali Belt and Chattogram Belt, 30 In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) with producers and consumers, 4 Focus Group Discussions with male and female producers, and 21 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with value chain actors, demand-side, and ancillary stakeholders. The second milestone involves conducting a market analysis to identify potential opportunities, drawing on both primary and secondary research findings. From these insights, new opportunities will be uncovered, and a national-level strategy will be formulated as the third and final milestone of the study.
The meeting marked the alignment among multiple stakeholders in terms of project focus areas and laid out a charter for future activities, with the overarching goal of enhancing Bangladesh’s seaweed industry and unlocking new opportunities for economic growth and sustainable livelihoods in coastal communities.
Our experts can help you solve your unique challenges
