A proposal to collect sargassum before it washes ashore and turn it into products for farmers has received Cabinet approval.

Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith Jr. presented the proposed partnership with SargaCycle, which aims to intercept floating sargassum before it reaches beaches and begins decomposing. The company proposes using specialised equipment to gather the seaweed, move it through a sealed pipeline to shore and transport it for processing.

Under the plan, harvested sargassum would be used to produce biochar and liquid biostimulants intended to improve soil quality, water retention and crop resilience. Cabinet said the approach could also reduce the use of heavy equipment on beaches and limit sand loss during cleanups.

The company proposes to stabilise and refine the material locally at first, while using international partners for specialised laboratory work. By its third year, it aims to establish further laboratory and manufacturing operations in Antigua and Barbuda.

SargaCycle has also proposed working with the government to manage sargassum affecting public beaches, fishing areas, heritage sites and other priority coastal locations, including during heavy influxes.

Relevant ministries and agencies will work on implementation and the necessary environmental, regulatory and technical requirements, Cabinet said.