THE GROW PROGRAMME
Our GROW programme transitions farmers from traditional to regenerative practices, improving yields 4x and seaweed quality substantially, while encouraging expansion and increasing supply reliability.
We have supplied 218 farming families with our regenerative GROW farm input packages since October 2023 and are targeting a total of at least 350 families by end of 2024.
By investing in ancient local farming knowledge, and combining it with innovative tech we are able to sustainably increase seaweed production levels, local fish stocks and wildlife, reduce damage to coral reefs and prevent marine plastic pollution all while creating financially stable communities.
4x
More yield per crop cycle
2.5x
Higher compound daily growth rates
218
farming families in GROW
1.5x
Efficiency in planting costs
25pp
Seaweed quality improvement against traditional farms
6x
more quality supply coming out of GROW seaweed farmers.
We integrate pioneering digital agri-tech to enhance efficiency, shorten the value chain, and provide full traceability of seaweed.
THE PROBLEM
As global demand for seaweed rises, processors face supply challenges due to small-scale producers using outdated farming methods and dealing with climate change impacts. These issues lead to unreliable quality of produce and severe environmental harm.
Coast 4C addresses these problems by working with thousands of smallholder farmers, streamlining the value chain, and introducing regenerative farming practices. This approach ensures a dependable supply of sustainable, high-quality seaweed while protecting marine ecosystems and modernising farming techniques.
THE SOLUTION
Coast 4C partners with thousands of smallholder seaweed farmers, helping them transition to regenerative farming practices. By providing farm input packages (GROW) with advanced technologies, improved materials, seedlings, and financial support, farmers see up to a 4x yield increase and better quality.
Coast 4C's 'iMPA' approach integrates community-based marine protected areas, enhancing coastal protection and reviving marine ecosystems. This approach could boost seaweed supply by 6-7x while opening new areas for farming and improving post-harvest processes.
THE IMPACT
We have protected thousands of hectares of ocean through our iMPAs, increasing protected areas by 45 times. We have supported 218 households since October 2023 targeting at least 350 households by the end of 2024.
This shift has led to a 4x yield increase, a 25 percentage point improvement in quality, and better prices. Coast 4C tracks its environmental and social impact through advanced habitat mapping, biomass monitoring, and community surveys, measuring key metrics like the Poverty Probability Index and food security.
“Seaweed is an amazing crop with so many benefits for the environment and coastal communities around the world. That's why the team at TRANSFORM jumped at the opportunity to support Coast 4C.
Coast 4C is doing amazing work to promote regenerative farming practices and improve the economic resilience of farmers. We believe TRANSFORM's model, which combines grant funding with in-kind business support, can make a difference in multiplying their impact.
With our support, Coast 4C has an opportunity to scale regenerative farming through its GROW programme that improves farmers’ yields and crop value, invest in new typhoon resistant infrastructure and integrated Marine Protected areas, and test new technologies for monitoring seaweed health and local marine biodiversity.
We look forward to seeing what Coast 4C will achieve in the years to come!”
Grace Ter Haar, TRANSFORM Programme Lead at Unilever
