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Gujarat Plans ₹100 Crore Marine Biotech Corridor in Porbandar
Gujarat proposes a ₹100-crore Marine Biotechnology Research and Innovation Corridor at Mocha, Porbandar, to turn seaweed and microalgae into high-value products and jobs.
Key Highlights
- The plan: Gujarat has proposed a ₹100-crore Marine Biotechnology Research and Innovation Corridor (M-BRIC) over five years.
- Location: A 30-acre hub at Mocha village in Porbandar district.
- Partner: CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute will be the key scientific partner.
- Focus: Seaweed, microalgae and marine microbes for products like biofertilisers, nutraceuticals, aquafeed and omega-3s.
- Livelihoods: Training for coastal youth, seaweed farmers, fishing communities and women-led enterprises.
Gujarat is planning to turn its marine resources into a source of high-value products and jobs. The state has proposed investing ₹100 crore over five years in a Marine Biotechnology Research and Innovation Corridor (M-BRIC) at Mocha village in Porbandar district.
The project, an initiative of the Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission under the Department of Science and Technology, will bring research, manufacturing, startups and coastal livelihood programmes into a single ecosystem. An MoU will be signed with CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR-CSMCRI), in the presence of ministers Arjun Modhwadia and Jitu Vaghani.
What the Corridor Will Include
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 30-acre hub at Mocha | Research, industry, processing and incubation in one place |
| Seaweed processing cluster | Washing, extraction, drying, packaging and quality control |
| State seaweed brood bank | Supplying high-quality planting material to farmers |
| Microalgal biofactories | Producing omega-3 fatty acids and other bioactive compounds |
| Seaweed biorefinery | Making biostimulants and other value-added products |
| Incubation and pilot plants | Helping startups move from lab to market |
What Can Be Made From the Sea
The corridor will explore products including biofertilisers, nutraceuticals, cosmetic ingredients, aquafeed, animal nutrition, enzymes and pharmaceutical intermediates. Seaweed-derived substances such as agar, alginate and carrageenan are also on the list. These are widely used as thickeners and gelling agents in everyday foods, as well as in labs and medical products.
