Mumbai Startup Uses AI to Boost Seaweed Farming in India

Fishing families along India's western coast are learning to farm the ocean's most nutritious crop, thanks to technology that turns satellite images into seaweed success stories.

ClimaCrew, a Mumbai startup, combines NASA satellite data with artificial intelligence to pinpoint exactly where seaweed will thrive in the ocean. The company analyzes salinity, temperature, sunlight, and water quality to eliminate guesswork for coastal communities looking to supplement their fishing income.

The timing couldn't be better. Climate change has depleted fish populations and forced fishing grounds to shift, leaving traditional fishers struggling. During the pandemic lockdown, many families desperately needed alternative income sources that didn't require venturing deep into the sea.

Founder Devleena Bhattacharjee and her team saw seaweed cultivation as the perfect solution. Women can participate in the work, which happens in shallow waters close to shore. The crop itself is packed with iodine, calcium, magnesium, and iron, making it valuable to agriculture, pharmaceutical, and food processing industries.

The startup doesn't just point to spots on a map and walk away. ClimaCrew trains fishers on scientific cultivation methods, teaches them which seaweed varieties work best, and advises on weather conditions. Marine biologists verify every site before planting begins.

Then comes the crucial part: ClimaCrew actually buys the harvested seaweed from the fishing community. The company processes 100 to 120 kilolitres monthly at its plant in Chiplun, Maharashtra, then supplies it to industries nationwide. This guaranteed buyer gives families confidence that their new venture will actually pay off.

The model is working. Over 800 people in Gujarat and Maharashtra coastal communities have been trained so far. The startup recently raised Rs 15 crore from angel investors to expand its reach.

The Ripple Effect: This isn't just about adding income for fishing families. Seaweed cultivation requires no fertilizers or fresh water, making it one of the most sustainable crops on Earth. As it grows, seaweed actually absorbs carbon dioxide from the ocean and helps fight climate change. The crop regenerates quickly, provides habitat for marine life, and can be harvested multiple times per year without depleting ocean resources.

ClimaCrew plans to offer its AI platform as a subscription service for fisheries and aquaculture worldwide. International expansion is next on the horizon, potentially bringing this sustainable income source to vulnerable coastal communities across the globe.

Centuries-old fishing villages are becoming tomorrow's ocean farmers, one satellite image at a time.