According to an article published on Mongabay on 16 April 2024 , entrepreneurs are using sargassum, a type of brown seaweed found inundating Caribbean beaches, to revolutionize agricultural practices in the region.
Innovative Solutions from Red Diamond Compost
Forte’s company, Red Diamond Compost, extracts beneficial nutrients and microorganisms from sargassum to create soil additives like Supreme Sea. These additives enhance plant growth while diminishing the dependence on synthetic fertilizers, benefiting both agriculture and the environment.
Overcoming Obstacles
Developing sargassum-based products for agriculture encounters hurdles due to irregular availability and high collection costs. Nevertheless, innovative solutions like floating barriers and improved extraction methods are emerging to surmount these obstacles.
A Vision for the Future
By integrating sargassum into farming practices, there is optimism not only to cleanse beaches but also to improve agriculture and enhance food accessibility in the Caribbean.
How is this topic related to SDGs?
The utilization of sargassum for agricultural innovation aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger: By enhancing agricultural practices with sargassum-based products, farmers can potentially increase crop yields and improve food security in the Caribbean region.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The development of sargassum-based agricultural solutions creates opportunities for entrepreneurship and economic growth, particularly in coastal communities where sargassum is abundant.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Utilizing sargassum for agricultural purposes promotes sustainable consumption and production practices by reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and repurposing a natural resource that would otherwise be considered waste.
- SDG 13: Climate Action: Sargassum-based agricultural solutions contribute to climate resilience by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and use of synthetic fertilizers, as well as by potentially sequestering carbon in agricultural soils.
- SDG 14: Life Below Water: Addressing the issue of sargassum inundation on Caribbean beaches can help protect marine ecosystems and biodiversity, particularly coastal habitats affected by excessive seaweed deposition.
- SDG 15: Life on Land: Incorporating sargassum into farming practices can improve soil health and fertility, leading to more sustainable land use and ecosystem restoration efforts.
