India’s first pearl farming cluster will be developed in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand

Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand state is set to emerge as India’s first and only pearl farming cluster. This initiative is being led by the Fisheries Department, with government support to promote scientific aquaculture and generate employment.

The Fisheries Department has included 'Pearl Culture' as a sub-component under the 'Blue Revolution' scheme to promote this sector.

With special emphasis on women’s participation, the project aims to transform Hazaribagh into a national model for sustainable and profitable pearl farming.

This recognition is based on the region’s suitable water resources and potential for aquaculture development. The Fisheries Department is actively working to develop the district as an ideal pearl hub and maximize production and income.

Fisheries Director Amarendra Kumar has inspected ongoing projects to ensure effective implementation.

In areas such as Daurwa-Kundwa, women are being trained in pearl farming and encouraged to participate in income-generating activities.

For this, the department and district administration are preparing a phased plan, which includes connecting more farmers, promoting the use of modern technology and ensuring direct market linkages.

Later, the team inspected 'cage culture' works at Tilaiya reservoir in Bundu under Barhi subdivision. Officials appreciated the integration of pearl farming along the edges of cages and emphasized expanding this model to increase farmers’ income through diversification.

Pearl farming

Pearl (Pinctada fucata) farming is the process of cultivating pearls inside freshwater or saltwater oysters in a controlled environment. It mainly consists of calcium carbonate.

Its other species include Pinctada vulgaris and Pinctada margaritifera. It involves inserting an irritant (nucleus) into the body of a mollusc, around which the mollusc secretes layers of 'nacre'. Over time, these layers combine to form a pearl.

Nacre (also called 'mother of pearl') is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer. This material is strong, flexible and iridescent, and pearls are made from it.

Molluscs are soft-bodied invertebrate animals that live in marine, freshwater, brackish water or terrestrial environments; such as snails, octopus and oysters.

Top countries in global pearl production

China leads global pearl production, mainly focusing on freshwater pearls; followed by Japan, Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

In India – pearl farming practices are prevalent in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, Kerala, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Goa and Tripura.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 10 September 2020, the 'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana' (PMMSY) is a flagship scheme worth ₹20,050 crore.

Under PMMSY, the government has approved the establishment of bivalve farming units, including 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 specialised pearl farming clusters.