Leveraging seaweed to lower emissions and increase competitiveness of agri-food systems in the Andes

Project Summary:

This grant will support pioneering research to identify the most effective strategies for developing the seaweed sector in the region.  

Coastal communities and the private sector in Chile, Ecuador, and Peru stand to gain significantly from the expansion of the seaweed industry.  However, they currently face substantial challenges, including the absence of robust policies, integrated management strategies, and market infrastructure. These challenges prevent their ability to fully harness the environmental and economic benefits of seaweed farming, such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. Additionally, these barriers limit their capacity to supply the agrifood sector with innovative, high-quality seaweed-based products like animal feed, biofertilizers, bio packaging, and biocontrol agents.

The IBRD’s regional initiatives in the 'Blue Economy' and 'Inclusive, Resilient Agrifood Systems' across these countries present valuable opportunities to create synergies and promote dialogue within the seaweed sector.