Pepsico plans a seaweed cultivation project in Gujarat

Ahmedabad, Sep 27 (UNI) Pepsi-Cola India today said it was planning to set up a seaweed cultivation project along the Gujarat coast in next 6 to 8 months from which flavoured jellies can be made.

Stating this, Mr Abhiram Seth, the company's Executive Director, Exports and External Affairs, said Pepsico has identified few places that could be viable for the project.

''Gulf of Kutch could be an ideal location,'' he told reporters here.

The seaweed, which is presently grown at Mandapan in Tamil Nadu, produces carragenan that can make the jellies, which the children love to eat, he said.

The extraction is being done by a process that has been patented by the Central Salt and Marine Research Institute (CSMRI) in Bhavnagar. While working on it, the CSMRI scientists realised that the sap being extracted from the weed has got micronutrients and natural growth hormones.

''This can be used as a organic nutrient for crops, especially rain-fed ones,'' he said.

He said the company too meets its corporate social responsibilities through the project in Tamil Nadu as 80 percent of the workforce are women.

Mr Seth said he will be pursuing the seaweed project with the Gujarat government.

''Hopefully, things should move in another six months,'' he added.

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