Hazaribag has been designated as India’s
first pearl farming cluster, marking a significant step in diversifying
aquaculture activities
¨
Hazaribag has been
designated as India’s first pearl farming cluster, marking a significant step
in diversifying aquaculture activities.
¨
The cluster is located in
Jharkhand and is expected to boost local livelihoods and promote inland pearl
cultivation.
¨
It has been developed
under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, a flagship scheme aimed at
enhancing fisheries and aquaculture productivity.
¨
The project has received
an investment of ₹22 crore, reflecting strong financial support for
infrastructure and capacity building.
¨
This initiative is a
joint effort of the Central Government and the Jharkhand Government, focusing
on creating a sustainable ecosystem for pearl farming, generating employment,
and encouraging rural entrepreneurship.
Pearl Farming Cluster in India
¨
A pearl farming cluster
is a geographically defined area where pearl cultivation, training, processing,
and market linkage are developed together.
¨
Hazaribag was officially
notified as the Pearl Cluster on 30 August 2024 by the Department of Fisheries,
Government of India.
¨
The initiative began as a
pilot project in 2019-20 under a state plan in Jharkhand. It later developed
into a structured ecosystem with training, production, and value addition
components.
Training and Production Base
¨
The Purty Agrotech
Training Centre in Ranchi was established in 2024 with corporate CSR funds.
¨ It has trained more than 132 farmers in advanced pearl culture techniques. The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) has recorded production of 1.02 lakh pearls from Hazaribag district alone.
¨ Jharkhand has also reported more than 800 trained pearl growers across the State as of February 2026.
