Pearl Farming Scheme Launched in Bareilly to Boost Farmers' Income
Bareilly's fisheries department initiates a pearl cultivation project in ponds, aiming to create a new income source for local farmers.
अफसार खान संवाददाता बरेली | इज़हार आलम
New Initiative for Farmers' Economic Upliftment
The Fisheries Department in Bareilly district has launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening the economic condition of farmers. For the first time in the district, a trial for cultivating pearls in ponds has commenced.
Under this ambitious project, Rohitas Gangwar, a resident of Faridpur tehsil, has been selected. His 440 square meter pond will house 2,000 oysters, potentially proving to be a new and effective source of income for farmers.
Scheme Details and Financial Assistance
The total cost of this scheme has been set at 1.5 lakh rupees. The Fisheries Department will provide a subsidy of 60,000 rupees to the beneficiary, accounting for 40 percent of the total cost.
Oyster Selection and Pearl Cultivation Process
According to Gayatri Pandey, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Bareilly, the selection of oysters is crucial for pearl farming. Healthy and disease-free oysters, measuring 8 to 10 centimeters, are chosen. Spawn can be sourced from government or private farms.
Cultivation Stages and Duration
The oyster farming process involves several stages: primary rearing, nucleus insertion, and main rearing. During primary rearing, oysters are kept in clean water.
Subsequently, they are placed in a 20x10 feet pond with a depth of 5-6 feet, suspended in nets. Approximately 1,000 oysters can be accommodated in such a pond. The nucleus insertion involves carefully placing a 2-millimeter nucleus inside the oyster using scissors or a fork.
The time taken for a pearl to form depends on its size. Round pearls typically take about two years, while other shapes may require six months to a year. During the main rearing phase, oysters feed on natural resources like algae, diatoms, and manure.
After two to three years, the oysters are harvested to collect the pearls. With proper cultivation, farmers can earn significant profits by selling the pearls in the market.