Gendered resilience in India’s seaweed farming: Highlighting policy lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic for inclusive Blue economy framework

Swathi Lekshmi, P S and Kalidoss, Radhakrishnan and Gopal, Nikita and Divu, D and Mojjada, Suresh Kumar and Vipinkumar, V P and George, Saju and Surya, S and Narayanakumar, R and Kingsly, H Jose and Leslie, V A and Arabindoo, S S and Subramanian, Aarsha and Ramshad, T S and Bagde, Prachi Siddharth and Tade, Mayur Shivdas and George, Grinson (2026) Gendered resilience in India’s seaweed farming: Highlighting policy lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic for inclusive Blue economy framework. Marine Policy, 194. pp. 1-13. ISSN 1872-9460

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Abstract

Seaweed farming is a key component of global blue economy, supporting sustainable coastal livelihoods and climate-compatible biomass production. As a major Indo-Pacific producer, India plays a pivotal role in advancing inclusive, low-carbon blue growth, with women central to seaweed value chain. However, the COVID-19 pandemic intensified structural gender inequalities, disrupted household dynamics, and exposed critical gaps in resilience, governance, and resource access. This study investigates gender-differentiated impacts among small-scale seaweed farmers in Tamil Nadu using a mixed-methods approach employing quantitative household surveys complemented by participatory qualitative methods. The empirical assessment covered socio-economic, spatial and decision-making variables. Results indicate gender disparities: men had significantly higher education, productive asset ownership, and institutional participation (p < 0.05). Women, despite lower access to assets and digital tools (p < 0.01), exhibited greater household decision-making authority (U = 468, p < 0.001) and stronger involvement in marketing (U = 676, p = 0.023). Pandemic disruptions disproportionately affected women, with 97.7% reporting mobility constraints and 73% experiencing income losses > 50%. The study identifies dual axis of gender differentiation structural advantages favouring men and adaptive household-level resilience among women. Advancing SDGs 5, 8, and 10 requires adoption of gender-responsive policy framework centred on equitable asset access, digital and financial inclusion, and enhanced representation of women in coastal governance to strengthen an inclusive, resilient, sustainable blue economy in India.

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