In a significant boost to rural entrepreneurship, farmers from Jharkhand are currently receiving specialized training in artificial pearl culture in Assam. The program features remarkable participation from women who are learning to master the techniques of pearl farming under expert guidance.
University-Led Initiative Creates Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Cotton University in Guwahati is facilitating this innovative training program where zoology experts are providing specialized instruction to help participants from Jharkhand become successful entrepreneurs in pearl farming. The university began its freshwater pearl farming initiative back in 2017 and has since trained over 3,500 individuals from across northeast India and beyond.
The collaboration between states began when the Jharkhand fisheries department initiated discussions with Cotton University, resulting in an agreement to provide training to Jharkhand's farmers starting in November. According to Akalesh Verma, assistant professor at Cotton University, "The Jharkhand government has devised a plan to involve over 100 farmers in this training program, which is being conducted in multiple phases."
Training Structure and Women's Participation
The training program is organized in carefully planned phases. The first phase, completed earlier this month, saw more than 25 farmers receive comprehensive training. The second phase is scheduled from November 21 to November 24 and will train an additional 25 farmers.
Bratati Mishra, a woman entrepreneur from Ranchi who participated in the training, expressed her newfound confidence in scientific pearl farming. She emphasized that "There is huge potential for women, particularly those who completed their academic studies and family responsibilities, to engage in pearl farming as a viable entrepreneurial venture."
All participants in the program come from various districts in Jharkhand, representing a mix of middle-class and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The Jharkhand government has established clusters of pearl farming initiatives to encourage collaboration among farmers for commercial ventures.
Infrastructure Support and Market Potential
The Assam state fisheries department has generously offered Dighalipukhuri pond as a training ground for these aspiring pearl farmers. This hands-on training facility provides practical experience in freshwater mussel collection and pearl cultivation techniques.
Assam has already demonstrated success in pearl farming, particularly in Nagaon and Morigaon districts. Some pearl farmers trained at Cotton University have achieved impressive annual turnovers of up to Rs 23 lakh. Despite the perception that Assam lacks a significant pearl market, local jewelry sectors often source pearls from Hyderabad, Rajasthan, and Mumbai, indicating substantial untapped potential.
University officials have simplified the technology for pearl farming, making it accessible to farmers without advanced educational backgrounds. The training begins with collecting freshwater mussels, locally known as Shamuk, followed by acclimatization and surgical procedures that lead to quality pearl development within two years.
The Jharkhand government is providing all necessary facilities to support this endeavor through the state's fisheries department, creating a sustainable model for economic development and women's empowerment through specialized agricultural training.
