By Faiza Tehseen Islamabad, Feb 22 (INP-WealthPK): The Pakistani coasts are laden with a variety of untapped poverty alleviating resources. Sea forests or seaweeds are one of them. Like mangroves, they play a vital role in the accommodation and feeding/breeding of a variety of marine fauna as well as maintaining the eco-balance. According to studies, Pakistan’s coastlines are rich in 234 species and 110 genera of seaweed and are a source of livelihood for more than 400,000 people, making at least one percent of the workforce. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Pakistan traded $383.088 million worth of seafood during July-May (2020-21) with an increase of 2.6% compared with the corresponding period last year when it was worth $373.382 million. Seaweeds are used for production of agar, carrageenan or emulsifying agent, food products, animal fodder, extracts, alginates, medicines, cosmetics, industrial materials, fertilizers etc. Seaweed is processed in many forms like liquid, powder, flakes or sheet. Seaweed fertilizer is produced in powdered, liquid, granular or direct foliar spray form and is considered the best for organic farming by reducing chemical reliance. Pakistan has exported slag and ash (including seaweed ash) to a few countries including Slovakia, India. The record of $948.14 thousand worth of import of slag and ash, including seaweed ash, from South Africa during different years is quoted below: Pakistan exports fresh seaweed and algae under commodity group 1212. Exports of commodity group 1212 amounted to $186 thousand in 2020 compared with $321 thousand in 2019. The said comparison is described in the following detailed data chart:         Pakistan exported locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable products (including unroasted chicory roots of the variety of Cichorium intybus sativum) under commodity group 1212 in 2020 to different countries with a fair share as described in the table.

No.	Countries	Share in % and value in $
1	Afghanistan	With a share of 17.1% and 31 thousand US$.
2	United Arab Emirates	With a share of 14.2% and 26 thousand US$.
3	Germany	With a share of 13.5% and 25 thousand US$.
4	Qatar	With a share of 11.3% and 21 thousand US$.
5	United Kingdom	With a share of 8.4% and 15.6 thousand US$.
6	Singapore	With a share of 8.25% and 15.3 thousand US$.
7	Indonesia	With a share of 6.9% and 12.8 thousand US$.
8	Saudi Arabia	With a share of 4.9% and 9.13 thousand US$.
9	Bahrain	With a share of 2.01% and 3.74 thousand US$.
10	Other Asia	With a share of 9.39% and 17.4 thousand US$.

  According to the United Nations COMTRADE data base on international trade, Pakistan traded US$3.13 thousand worth of locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable products including unroasted chicory roots of the variety of Cichorium intybus sativum) under the commodity group 1212 with Oman during 2020. In 2020, the global market share of seaweed business was $11.5 billion, while the market growth forecast from 2021- 2026 has shown a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% as shown in the following table: - Source: https://www.competecaribbean.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Global-status-of-seaweed-production-trade-and-utilization-Junning-Cai-FAO.pdf Unlike other traditional crops, seaweed can be grown at a higher rate. The farming of this crop, which does not need fresh water, pesticides, fertilizers or dedicated land area, has grown around the world due to increasing industrial, agricultural and food demands. The Asia Pacific segment leads in seaweed growth and production due to a favourable climate and low-cost labour, while the European region is taking lead in the consumer demand. Marine floriculture is one of its kind in China where most of the commercially cultivated seaweed species are Laminaria, Undaria, Prophyra, Gelidium, Gracilaria, Macrocystis. Their cultivation is mostly done by using the traditional ways e.g., hanging kelp rope or single raft cultivation and horizontal or double raft cultivation by using glass or plastic made buoys. Though Pakistan is earning from this sector, it needs appropriate planning for fruitful results. Pakistan can also benefit from the Chinese technical assistance for cultivation, processing and marketing of seaweed. The Chinese technical assistance can successfully contribute towards shoring up the economy and alleviating poverty.