ASSAM PEARL CULTURE AND TRAINING CENTER

 

ASSAM PEARL CULTURE AND TRAINING CENTRE

An Initiative by Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Verma, Assistant Professor (II) Cotton University, Department of Zoology, Panbazar, Guwahati-781001, Assam

Mobile: +91-8721925273/7002424277

Email: - akhileshverma07@gmail.com

                     akhilesh@cottonuniversity.ac.in

 

Public Facebook Group: Innovation in pearl culture (Assam)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/465458654455737

 

Aim & Objectives

 

1. To train farmers, unemployed youth and interested volunteers in the field of pearl culture and entrepreneurship development.
2. Best quality nucleus design and biopolymer coating.
3. To innovate a new technique(s) of small pond pearl farming using biofloc, aquarium and geomembrane system.
4. Community mobilization and sensitization for the pearl culture by conducting trainings and workshops.
5. To create awareness about freshwater peal culture & livelihood generation of the region.
6. Pearl oyster (mussels or clamps) breeding and conservation.

Background information

Pearls are formed by the secretion of nacre from epidermal cells within shelled mollusk mantle tissue (Dan and Ruobo, 2002; Johnston et al., 2020).  The chemical composition of pearl is 82-86% calcium carbonate, 10-14% conchiolin, and 2-4% carbohydrates and water. The pearl is known as the queen of jewels and has been used for adornment and as a symbol of material wealth throughout human history. Pearl culture gives the highest gross income for the unit area among aquaculture systems. Pearls are considered as multibillion-dollar business with the world’s largest aquaculture activities in terms of value (Alagarswami, 1983; Paterson and Veth, 2020).  Nowadays, cultured pearls are formed in a remarkable collision between nature and science. The major cultured pearl-producing countries now include China, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Mexico (Gervis and Sims, 1992; Southgate, 2007; Southgate, 2008; Johnston et al., 2020). The world production of pearls accounted for 78 tons worth approximately US $1042 million; whereas India import of cultured pearls is worth US $10 million per annum (Janaki, 1997; Victor and Chellam, 2000). Indian production of cultured pearls is very meagre and yet to enter in the world trade. Pearls are used in jewelry and medicine all over the India causes an increase in pearl demand day by day (Misra et al., 2009).

North East (NE) India & Pearl culture

The entire North East (NE) India is lacking behind in pearl culture due to lack of awareness and scientific training facility in the region. Interestingly, all the well known pearl producing mussels (Lamellidens spp.) are available in different parts of Assam including (a) Lamellidens corrianus, (b) L. marginalis, (c) L. phenchooganjensis and (d) L. jenkinsi anus (Sonowal and Kardong, 2020). Moreover, the water quality and environmental condition needed for pearl culture is suitable in entire NE India. Pearl cultivation is a small effort and high-profit business with limited land and no specific management required though out the cultivation process (Yan et al., 2020). Pearl farming will be an additional income generation for the local people including unemployed youths, farmers and women who are farming and having a lesser land. This scheme can uplift their income to about 8-10 times than the current income fetched from agriculture and with minimum effort and lesser land requirement that too within 250 square foot area only. This innovative pearl culture practice may provide the local people a sustainable income with a reputation in the community. Comparing with general agriculture, there are lower chances of risks in pearl cultivation.

Moreover, Biofloc technology, geomembrane and aquarium can be implemented and researched as an alternative to natural ponds for pearl culture that would enhance the possibility of pearl culture in urban as well as remote areas. Biofloc, geomembrane and aquarium can be set up at garden, rooftop, and even in the balcony area of the building.

Considering the greater dissemination need of the technology for the development of the pearl culture production in the country with special reference to NE India, National level training on freshwater pearl culture will be started in context with community mobilization and sensitization that will also boost entrepreneurship in the region.  The participants will be from various parts of the NE India with varied backgrounds viz., farmers, teachers, engineers, management executives, entrepreneurs, and students. For farmers (male and female) free training will be provided with manual in pearl culture and other accessories materials.

GLIMPSES OF PEARL CULTURE IN COTTON UNIVERSITY

1.     Surgery Tools

2.  Surgery

3.     Best Quality non-reactive nucleus

4.     Biopolymer coated nuclei (Harvesting time reduces by 3 months)

5.     Pearl oyster (mussels or clamps) food preparation/Algae mother culture 

6.     Pearl culture in aquarium & Biofloc tank

7.     Pearls in different mussels (oysters)

     8.     Pearl culture training & Demonstration

9.     Pearl  nuclei brass mould

References:

1.      Dan, H., and Ruobo, G. (2002). Freshwater pearl culture and production in China. Aquaculture Asia, 7(1), 6-8.

2.      Johnston, W., Gordon, S. E., Wingfield, M., Hine, D., and Southgate, P. C. (2020). Economic feasibility of small-scale mabé pearl production in Tonga using the winged pearl oyster, Pteria penguin. Aquaculture Reports, 17, 100347.

3.      Alagarswami, K. (1983). The black lip pearl oyster resource and pearl culture potential. CMFRI bulletin, 34, 72-78.

4.      Paterson, A., and Veth, P. (2020). The point of pearling: Colonial pearl fisheries and the historical translocation of Aboriginal and Asian workers in Australia’s Northwest. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 57, 101143.

5.      Gervis MH, Sims NA (1992). The biology and culture of pearl oysters (Bivalvia: Pteriidae). ICARM Stud Rev 21:22–41.

6.      Southgate PC (2007) Overview of the cultured marine pearl industry. In: Bondad-Reantaso MG, McGladdery SE, Berthe FCJ (eds) Pearl oyster health management: a manual. FAO fisheries technical paper. 503:7–17.

7.      Southgate PC (2008) Pearl oyster culture. In: Southgate PC, Lucas JS (eds) The pearl oyster. Elsevier Press, Oxford, pp 231–268.

8.      Victor, A C C and Chellam, A and Dharmaraj, S (2000) Pearl culture. In: Marine Fisheries Research and Management. CMFRI; Kochi, Kochi, 775-785.

9.      Janaki Ram, K. (1997). Freshwater pearl culture in India. Naga, the ICLARM Quarterly, 20(3-4), 12-17.

10.  Misra, G., Jena, J., and Kumar, K. (2009). Freshwater pearl crop: an emerging enterprise in the Indian subcontinent. Aquaculture Asia.4, 1-2.

11.  Sonowal, J., and Kardong, D. (2020) Nutritional evaluation of freshwater bivalve, Lamellidens spp. from the upper Brahmaputra basin, Assam with special reference to dietary essential amino acids, omega fatty acids and minerals. Journal of Environmental Biology. 41, 931-941.

12.  Yan, W. T., Lau, C. P., Leung, K. M., and Davies, S. N. (2019). Problems and prospects of revitalizing marine pearl cultivation in highly urbanized coasts: A case study of Tolo Harbour in Hong Kong. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 31, 100756.

 

Note: The contents are for awareness, teaching and learning.