A new era of Manipur’s aquaculture, fresh water pearl farming has been introduced in Manipur by Manipur Technology Innovation (MTI-HUB), an emerging aquaculture technique that involves cultivating mussels in ponds to produce pearls.
MTI-HUB on Wednesday announced that Manipur’s first ever two-day training programme on freshwater pearl farming held at the HUB was successfully completed.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday at MTI-HUB, Ajit Kumar Ng, Dean of Biological Science, MTI, said that the two-day training programme held on July 29 and 30 of 2024 for freshwater pearl farming has been successful.
The programme equipped local farmers and entrepreneurs with the skills to venture into pearl farming, covering crucial techniques like mollusk selection, pearl implementation and sustainable aquaculture methods.
For the first time in Manipur, participants have now successfully launched pearl farming projects in local water bodies, marking a historic moment for the state, he said.
He explained that introduction of freshwater pearl farming offers a new and sustainable income source for farmers in Manipur, integrating aquaculture with existing agricultural practices.
“This pioneering initiative not only boosts economic prospects for rural communities but also promotes environmentally friendly business models, ensuring minimal impact on local ecosystems”, said Ajit, adding that with hands-on experience from the programme, farming is now poised to contribute to the region’s growing reputation in innovative agricultural practices.
Speaking about the future possibilities in pearl culture, Ajit said it has a lot of potential in Manipur as mussels (Lamellidens marginalis) used in pearl culture are available in the state.
Innovation in aquaculture and pearl cultivation techniques can boost yield and quality, making pearl farming more efficient and profitable, while enhancing market competitiveness, he said.
Increasing consumer interest in affordable luxury items, particularly pearls, drives strong demands in jewellery markets, cosmetic industry offering significant sales potential for pearl farmers, he said, adding that increasing market value of fresh water pearls in jewellery, handicrafts and export, with expansion of business in foreign countries.