Why in News?
Under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, Hazaribag in Jharkhand has been officially notified as India’s 1st Pearl farming Cluster.
Hazaribag Pearl cluster is part of Blue economy 2.0 initiative.
Traditionally - while pearls are associated with, coastal areas.
Uniqueness - But this cluster are located in a landlocked state that is Hazaribag, Jharkhand.
Central Government & State of Jharkhand has jointly developed with an investment of 22 rs Crore.
Production capacity - The district has recorded a production of over 1.02 Lakh as of early 2026.
Primary Species - Freshwater Mussels has been utilized. For a Brood bank specifically for Hyriopsis Cumingii ( A high quality Vietnamese Mussel Species) a proposal has been moved.
Hyriopsis Cumingii is a species of freshwater mussel known for producing high-quality pearls; often referred to as the "Triangle Sail Mussel."
Process - Pearl farming involves surgical transplantation into the mussels, followed by a maturation period where the mussel secretes nacre (mother-of-pearl) over a nucleus.
Skill Development - For Creating skilled workforce Purty Agrotech Training Centre (Ranchi) & St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi (via certificate courses) are working together.
Across Jharkhand around 800 trained pearl growers are active.
Livelihood – It offers alternative source of income for inland farmers, by utilizing existing water bodies like ponds and tanks.
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PMMSY is the flagship scheme of the GOI.
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