Name Prashant Kumar
Roll No. 22/2316
Course BA PROGRAMME
Subject Social Media marketing
Section 1
Home Town: district Begusarai, Bihar
Email. Prashantsharma83875@gmail.com
Mobile No.9910372344
FROM SEEDS TO SHINE:THE JOURNEY OF PEARLS IN BEGUSARAI
Begusarai is one of the thirty eight districts in the state of Bihar. The
district lies on the northern bank of the Ganges river .
Pearl farming is the process of cultivating pearls within freshwater or saltwater oysters in controlled environment.
It involves the process of cultivating pearls by inserting an irritant (nucleus) into the body of mollusk ,which then secretes layers of around
it .over time these layers form a pearl
Nacre (the mother of pearl) is an organic-inorganic composite system, produced by some mollusks as an inner shell layer. The material is strong, resilient, andiridescent, and this is what the pearls are composed of.
This scientific and commercial practice leverages the natural biological process of mollusks to produce high-quality pearls in controlled condition.
Mollusks are soft-bodied invertebrates that inhabit marine, freshwater brackish waters, or land environments such as snails, octopi, oysters
Procedure: Farming practice of the freshwater pearl culture operation involves six major steps
sequentially:
Collection of mussels
Pre-operative conditioning (keeping mussels in crowded condition in captivity)
Implantation (Inserting nuclei or graft tissues into mussels)
Post-operative care (antibiotic treatment)
Pond culture (12-18 months)
Harvesting of pearls
The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi especially mentioned about Shri Jaishankar Kumar, a government servant-turned pearl farmer from Begusarai, Bihar in his address in “Mann Ki Baat” Programme broadcast on All India Radio .
Pearl farming relies on several key factors for success:
Mollusks: Oysters, mussels, or other mollusks serve as hosts for pearl formation. Selecting the right species and ensuring their well-being is paramount.
Clean Water: High-quality, clean water is crucial for mollusk health and pearl development. Monitoring parameters like temperature, salinity, and oxygen levels is essential.
Nuclei: To initiate pearl growth, a small nucleus (often a mother-of-pearl bead) is surgically inserted into the mollusk's mantle tissue, influencing the pearl's size and shape.
Feeding and Care: Regular feeding, protection from predators, and disease prevention are vital. Proper habitat maintenance and gentle handling during cultivation are necessary.
Harvesting: Pearls are typically harvested after a specific growth period, varying by mollusk type and desired pearl characteristics. Careful timing ensures quality pearls.
Pros of a pearl farming based businesses
The cost to start a pearl farming business costs significantly less money than most businesses
This career allows you to gain experience working for multiple different businesses – which will benefit your resume and also keep things interesting for you!
Pearl Farming Business’s typically involve a much greater degree of movement than other lines of work. Most days, you will spend your day walking, running errands for your business, and performing a multitude of tasks. This can have a positive impact on energy levels and your overall health.
One of the best parts of starting a pearl farming business is that you can develop a local following by selling your products at craft shows, farmers’ markets, or even local storefront businesses! This gives you access to additional revenue streams and loyal customers.
With starting a pearl farming business, you establish yourself as an expert in your niche, which builds your credibility. In return, customers are more likely to trust you and refer you to other friends and family.
The demand for pearl farming business is increasing year over year and the business is known to be relatively recession proof.
Cons of a pearl farming based businesses
As a pearl farming business, the amount of work assigned to you and schedule tends to be more inconsistent, which may make your income less stable. It's important to set boundaries and budget accordingly based on the amount of work you plan to have.
A pearl farming business can be a big time and money investment for your customer, so it’s important you plan and predict a longer conversion funnel and stay in communication with potential customers.
As a pearl farming business, you typically pay self-employment taxes which can be quite high. It’s important to understand what you will be paying in taxes each year so you can determine if the work you’re taking on is worth it.
Typically, as a pearl farming business, you do not receive a consistent pay-check and instead earn money based on your transactions each month. During the slow periods, you typically take away less since the job is based on commission. It’s important to budget accordingly for the slow times.
Although this is exciting for some entrepreneurs, it can be a big challenge for others! You may find yourself in uncomfortable social and business situations, jumping into tasks and responsibilities you aren’t familiar with, and pushing yourself as far as you can go!
Reference book for farming
The basic methods of pearl farming : :layman’s manual by Maria haws
Pearl farming can impact the environment in both positive and negative ways.
Negative impact:
Plastic pollution: The use of plastic netting and rope for pearl farming can create microplastic.
Landfill pollution: Pearl farming waste can pollute soil if it’s not managed properly.
Bioaccumulation: Chemicals used to maintain pearl farming equipment can build up in fish.
Water pollution: Chemicals used in pearl farming can pollute freshwater ecosystems.
Biofouling: Other organisms can be attracted to pearl farming, leading to biofouling.
Positive impact:
Pearl oysters can provide habitat for spawning and recruitment, which can increase fish populations.
Sustainable development: Pearl farming can support rural communities and coastal towns.
Biodiversity: Pearl oysters can support a diverse community of epifauna.
Current Scenario:
Pearls have incredible versatility and variety in terms of shape, color, size, quality, and value. This makes them the perfect accessory for every woman’s style and budget. The beauty of pearls is even more miraculous when you consider that these gems are one of just a handful of organic gemstones, or gems created by living organisms.
One of the best things about the wide variety of pearl jewelry . One of the most affordable ways to get the look, luster, and iridescent orient of fine quality pearls without the steep price tag is to collect mother-of-pearl jewelry. Mother-of-pearl is the name given to the thin lining on the inside of the mollusk’s shell. Just a few millimeters thick, it is composed of the same beautiful, lustrous substance as a whole pearl. When mother-of-pearl composes all or part of a pearl rather than the mollusk’s shell, this material is called nacre.
{Mother of pearl}
Pearl cultivation is practiced in several states in India, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Odisha. The Indian government has encouraged pearl farming as part of its Blue Revolution program.
Government Initiatives for Natural Pearl Production in India
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):
Under the PMMSY, the government has approved the establishment of bivalve
Cultivation units, encompassing mussels, clams, and pearls, with a total investment of
Rs 461 lakh across various States and Union Territories.
Additionally, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been circulated to guide the
Development of fisheries and aquaculture clusters, including specialized pearl farming
Clusters.
Pearl Farming Clusters:
Establishment of the first pearl farming cluster in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. TRIFED
(Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India) has also inked an
Agreement with the Jharkhand-based Purty Agrotech for the promotion of pearl farming in
Tribal areas.
Support Under Blue Revolution:
The Department of Fisheries has included a sub-component for pearl culture in the Blue
Revolution scheme for encouraging the sector.
Training and Capacity Building:
Training of over 1900 participants by Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR) institutions on both freshwater pearl farming and marine pearl farming.
Conclusion:
India’s pearl farming export index is relatively moderate, ranking around 19th globally, with an export value of approximately $3.79 million in 2022
The Indian government has been encouraging pearl farming as part of its Blue Revolution.
Profitability
The Better India notes that pearl farming can be highly profitable, but it’s also risky.
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