Growing seaweed rich in valuable chemicals — predicted to be worth $7 billion by 2018 — is emerging as a source of employment for rural women in India.
Women fasten the young seaweed plants to rope in preparation for growing seaweed in water. The practice provides a steady income for rural women in India, who can only be away from their families for a short time.
The chemicals extracted from the seaweed can be used in products such as skin care lotions, fertilizers, toothpastes, and ice cream.
(READ the story in the CS Monitor)