Pearl farming; A New Hope for Farming Community

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, in collaboration with State Governments, research institutes, and other relevant agencies, has undertaken various initiatives to promote natural pearl farming in India.

Pearl Farming

About:
Pearl farming is the process of cultivating pearls within freshwater or saltwater oysters under controlled conditions. It involves inserting an irritant (nucleus) into the mollusk, which secretes layers of nacre around the irritant. Over time, these layers form a pearl.

Nacre, also known as the mother of pearl, is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by mollusks as an inner shell layer. It is strong, resilient, and iridescent, which gives pearls their unique composition and appearance. This scientific and commercial process utilizes the natural biological mechanisms of mollusks to produce high-quality pearls in a controlled environment.

Mollusks are soft-bodied invertebrates found in marine, freshwater, brackish waters, and terrestrial habitats. Examples include snails, octopuses, and oysters.

Procedure:
The process of freshwater pearl farming involves six sequential steps:

• Harvesting of pearls Collection of mussels
• Pre-operative conditioning (keeping mussels in crowded captivity)
• Implantation (inserting nuclei or graft tissues into mussels)
• Post-operative care (including antibiotic treatment)
• Pond culture (12-18 months)

Pearl Production:

• Global: China dominates global pearl production, particularly freshwater pearls, followed by Japan, Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
• India: Pearl farming practices are prevalent in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, Kerala, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Goa, and Tripura. In 2022, India ranked as the 19th largest pearl exporter, with exports valued at USD 3.79 million.

Advantages of Pearl Farming:

• Alternate Source of Income for Farmers:
  Pearl farming provides a stable and profitable source of income for farmers, which is not dependent on external factors like climate, unlike traditional farming practices that are often affected by these variables.
• Employment Generation:
  Pearl farming creates significant employment opportunities for young people, contributing to socio-economic development in rural and tribal areas.
• Eco-Friendly Technique:
  Pearl farming is an environmentally friendly practice. Filter feeder oysters used in pearl farming help purify water. A single oyster can filter over 15 gallons of water per day, removing particles as small as 2 microns.

Challenges in Pearl Farming in India:

• Limited freshwater pearl farmers and the absence of an organized sector.
• Lack of standardized protocols for broodstock management, breeding, and water quality to suit diverse agro-climatic zones.
• Scattered availability of mussel broodstock (reproductively mature adults for breeding) and insufficient research support.
• Weak extension networks for disseminating existing technologies.

Government Initiatives for Natural Pearl Production in India:

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):
  Under PMMSY, the government has approved the establishment of bivalve cultivation units, which include mussels, clams, and pearls, with a total investment of ₹461 lakh across various States and Union Territories. Additionally, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been issued to guide the development of fisheries and aquaculture clusters, including specialized pearl farming clusters.
• Pearl Farming Clusters:
  The first pearl farming cluster has been established in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India) has signed an agreement with Jharkhand-based Purty Agrotech to promote pearl farming in tribal areas.
• Support Under the Blue Revolution Scheme:
  The Department of Fisheries has included pearl culture as a sub-component under the Blue Revolution scheme to encourage and develop the sector.
• Training and Capacity Building:
  Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutions have provided training to over 1,900 participants in both freshwater and marine pearl farming techniques.

To promote pearl farming in India, it is crucial to enhance government support and infrastructure by increasing subsidies, improving broodstock management, and standardizing breeding and water quality protocols.
The establishment of organized sectors and cooperatives can help streamline operations and strengthen market linkages. Encouraging research through institutions like ICAR-CIFA and empowering farmers through innovative techniques and targeted training programs are essential for sustainable growth.

The End of the Blog: Pearl farming; A New Hope for Farming Community