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Producers and suppliers of spirulina mother culture and processed products
Market research reveals that by the end of 2026 the global spirulina market will be soared at 10% CAGR accounting for sales of more than 321,000 tons. Spirulina, the protein rich food supplement must be considered by the farmers as it is hassle free to grow, has low-investment cost and sold at good price. Chennai, Tamil Nadu based Organization for Eelam Refugees Rehabilitation (OfERR) has been engaged in spirulina cultivation since 2002. The organization produces spirulina at its own farm located at Navallor village, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. Mr. Retna Raja Singam, program coordinator, OfERR, spirulina farm shares the details about the capital investment, production process, harvest and price. Excerpts:
Mr. Retna Raja Singam
OfERR started growing spirulina to cater the Sri Lankan refugee as a supplementary food for the malnutrition children and pregnant women. It not only fulfills the nutritional requirements of the families but also empowers them. We produce spirulina for our own consumption without depending on any third party producer. We also help others to learn the cultivation methods and rebuild their livelihood.
300- 500 kg dried spirulina is the monthly production at OfERR. Primarily it is used in-house however the excess production is used to produce value added product such as spirulina capsule , powder , biscuits, chocolate, cake & juice.
Capital Investment
The tank size for spirulina production varies as per the quantity to be produced. For example to produce 6 kg dried spirulina every month, the tank size required shall be length 20ft x width 10ft x depth 1.5ft. Tank construction cost shall be approximately Rs 40 thousand.
Production Process
Factors farmers must consider for starting spirulina farm are suitable environment having sufficient sun light that is 20 c - 30 c, sufficient drinking water facility, good quality mother culture, nutrients and minerals namely sodium bi carbonate, sodium chloride , urea , magnisum sulphate ,pottasium sulphate , ferrus sulphate and phosporic acid .
Once again assuming 6 kg production unit, tank area needed would be 1000 square feet, water required shall be 3600 - 4000 liters and mother culture 4 kg. Along with releasing mother culture in the tank, other nutrients to be added are 32 gram sodium bi carbonate, 20 gram sodium chloride, 0.8 gram urea, 2 gram potassium sulphate, 0.64 gram magnesium sulphate, 0.208 ml phosphoric acid and 0.20 ml ferrous sulphate. The water must be mixed once in a day for a week using a long stick for half an hour.
Harvesting
In the first season, it would take 7-10 days to harvest spirulina. Then after it can be harvested everyday.
Using small plastic buckets spirulina is collected from the tank and poured into a mounted filter to remove excess water. The sieved spirulina should then be covered in a muslin cloth and 50 kg weight must be placed on the top of it. Finally the pressed spirulina is allowed to dry.
It takes 5 - 7 hours every day for drying spirulina. The dried produce must be stored appropriately in a dry, air tight storage system. If not sold it should be stored every day. Only after sufficient quantity is collected, it can be powered. Preferably the powder should be sent for quality check in a recognized laboratory to check for protein and moisture content and contamination if any.
Spirulina mother culture is sold at Rs. 1500 - 2500 per kg. It is only one time purchase as later farmers can have their own culture for the next spirulina production. The only requisite is to store spirulina mother culture in an air tight container.
Price
Presently spirulina is sold as dried powder at Rs. 700 -1400 (largely depends on quality). However it is largely subject to market fluctuations. 6 kg spirulina production unit shall enable farmers to earn Rs. 12-14 thousand monthly.
Value Addition
The farmers must slowly venture into value addition of spirulina only when there is secured market.
Selling the farm produce directly to the end user is lucrative to generate more profit. Spirulina farmers can also join hands to increase their strength.
A complete automated production unit to produce 50 kg dried spirulina powder monthly would require the investment of Rs. 3 - 5 lakh and the profits will be Rs. 1 lakh plus. Government provides subsidy via MSME for setting up spirulina farm. Bank loan facilities are available too.
Spirulina is 100% safe and nutritional food supplement to be consumed by all age groups. Accept infants below 1 year, rest everyone can consume 2-4 gram spirulina tablets every day. Pregnant and nursing ladies can consume it too.
It contains high content of protein, iron and antioxidants. It is increases immunity, promotes insulin, lowers triglyceride levels, reduces blood pressure, effective against anemia, enhance muscle strength and endurance. Moreover spirulina has been found to have anti-cancer properties, especially against oral cancer. Doctors in Tamil Nadu are prescribing spirulina to the patients.
At OfERR we want spirulina to be a part of everyone's daily meal and we want to develop the same in Sri Lanka, our Motherland as well. It would be helpful if the Government of India supports and creates more awareness to produce spriulina and make it available to all school children as supplementary food.
Organization for Eelam Refugees Rehabilitation (OfERR) was established in 1984 as a voice for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who were forced to flee their homeland and take refuge in India during the armed conflict that went on for over 25 years. It is a non profit, non political humanitarian organization comprising of Sri Lankan refugees whose mission is to speak up for the rights of other such refugees and to provide them peace, dignity and empowerment.
Contact details:
OfERR (Organisation for Eelam Refugee Rehabilitation)
2nd Floor, 31,Sait Colony, 1st Street, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008
Phone: +91 9884000413
Email: oferrigp@gmail.com
Web: https://oferr.org/
Market research reveals that by the end of 2026 the global spirulina market will be soared at 10% CAGR accounting for sales of more than 321,000 tons. Spirulina, the protein rich food supplement must be considered by the farmers as it is hassle free to grow, has low-investment cost and sold at good price. Chennai, Tamil Nadu based Organization for Eelam Refugees Rehabilitation (OfERR) has been engaged in spirulina cultivation since 2002. The organization produces spirulina at its own farm located at Navallor village, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. Mr. Retna Raja Singam, program coordinator, OfERR, spirulina farm shares the details about the capital investment, production process, harvest and price. Excerpts:
Mr. Retna Raja Singam
OfERR started growing spirulina to cater the Sri Lankan refugee as a supplementary food for the malnutrition children and pregnant women. It not only fulfills the nutritional requirements of the families but also empowers them. We produce spirulina for our own consumption without depending on any third party producer. We also help others to learn the cultivation methods and rebuild their livelihood.
300- 500 kg dried spirulina is the monthly production at OfERR. Primarily it is used in-house however the excess production is used to produce value added product such as spirulina capsule , powder , biscuits, chocolate, cake & juice.
Capital Investment
The tank size for spirulina production varies as per the quantity to be produced. For example to produce 6 kg dried spirulina every month, the tank size required shall be length 20ft x width 10ft x depth 1.5ft. Tank construction cost shall be approximately Rs 40 thousand.
Production Process
Factors farmers must consider for starting spirulina farm are suitable environment having sufficient sun light that is 20 c - 30 c, sufficient drinking water facility, good quality mother culture, nutrients and minerals namely sodium bi carbonate, sodium chloride , urea , magnisum sulphate ,pottasium sulphate , ferrus sulphate and phosporic acid .
Once again assuming 6 kg production unit, tank area needed would be 1000 square feet, water required shall be 3600 - 4000 liters and mother culture 4 kg. Along with releasing mother culture in the tank, other nutrients to be added are 32 gram sodium bi carbonate, 20 gram sodium chloride, 0.8 gram urea, 2 gram potassium sulphate, 0.64 gram magnesium sulphate, 0.208 ml phosphoric acid and 0.20 ml ferrous sulphate. The water must be mixed once in a day for a week using a long stick for half an hour.
Harvesting
In the first season, it would take 7-10 days to harvest spirulina. Then after it can be harvested everyday.
Using small plastic buckets spirulina is collected from the tank and poured into a mounted filter to remove excess water. The sieved spirulina should then be covered in a muslin cloth and 50 kg weight must be placed on the top of it. Finally the pressed spirulina is allowed to dry.
It takes 5 - 7 hours every day for drying spirulina. The dried produce must be stored appropriately in a dry, air tight storage system. If not sold it should be stored every day. Only after sufficient quantity is collected, it can be powered. Preferably the powder should be sent for quality check in a recognized laboratory to check for protein and moisture content and contamination if any.
Spirulina mother culture is sold at Rs. 1500 - 2500 per kg. It is only one time purchase as later farmers can have their own culture for the next spirulina production. The only requisite is to store spirulina mother culture in an air tight container.
Price
Presently spirulina is sold as dried powder at Rs. 700 -1400 (largely depends on quality). However it is largely subject to market fluctuations. 6 kg spirulina production unit shall enable farmers to earn Rs. 12-14 thousand monthly.
Value Addition
The farmers must slowly venture into value addition of spirulina only when there is secured market.
Selling the farm produce directly to the end user is lucrative to generate more profit. Spirulina farmers can also join hands to increase their strength.
A complete automated production unit to produce 50 kg dried spirulina powder monthly would require the investment of Rs. 3 - 5 lakh and the profits will be Rs. 1 lakh plus. Government provides subsidy via MSME for setting up spirulina farm. Bank loan facilities are available too.
Spirulina is 100% safe and nutritional food supplement to be consumed by all age groups. Accept infants below 1 year, rest everyone can consume 2-4 gram spirulina tablets every day. Pregnant and nursing ladies can consume it too.
It contains high content of protein, iron and antioxidants. It is increases immunity, promotes insulin, lowers triglyceride levels, reduces blood pressure, effective against anemia, enhance muscle strength and endurance. Moreover spirulina has been found to have anti-cancer properties, especially against oral cancer. Doctors in Tamil Nadu are prescribing spirulina to the patients.
At OfERR we want spirulina to be a part of everyone's daily meal and we want to develop the same in Sri Lanka, our Motherland as well. It would be helpful if the Government of India supports and creates more awareness to produce spriulina and make it available to all school children as supplementary food.
Organization for Eelam Refugees Rehabilitation (OfERR) was established in 1984 as a voice for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who were forced to flee their homeland and take refuge in India during the armed conflict that went on for over 25 years. It is a non profit, non political humanitarian organization comprising of Sri Lankan refugees whose mission is to speak up for the rights of other such refugees and to provide them peace, dignity and empowerment.
Contact details:
OfERR (Organisation for Eelam Refugee Rehabilitation)
2nd Floor, 31,Sait Colony, 1st Street, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008
Phone: +91 9884000413
Email: oferrigp@gmail.com
Web: https://oferr.org/