In a significant step towards enhancing rural livelihoods and promoting sustainable aquaculture practices, Guwahati Biotech Park (GBP) organised a specialised training program on pearl culture techniques under the Business Incubation for Fisheries and Aquaculture (BICFA) project on April 23, 2025.
The two-day program, which drew participants from across Assam, including farmers, researchers, and startups, aims to popularise pearl farming technology among the local population, with a focus on practical knowledge and market-oriented approaches.
“The key objective of this training is to raise awareness and empower local farmers to adopt pearl farming as a viable livelihood option. In the Northeast, people consume freshwater mussels regularly, which has led to a decline in their population. Through pearl culture, we not only preserve the species but also create a high-value product—pearls—that fetch a good market price,” Akalesh Kumar Verma, who is closely associated with the initiative, told Business North East (BNE).
Verma highlighted that the technology allows freshwater mussels to breed naturally, ensuring ecological balance while allowing farmers to generate income through pearl sales. The initiative also complements national campaigns such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat, aligning with the government’s vision of self-reliant and inclusive growth.
The program included hands-on sessions covering the entire pearl farming process, from sourcing mussels from local water bodies to conducting complex surgical procedures for pearl implantation. Participants were trained in both round pearl and designer pearl surgeries, which are crucial for quality output. Post-surgical care, feeding techniques, disease management, and water quality monitoring were also part of the curriculum.
“Water quality plays a vital role in pearl farming,” said Verma. “The freshwater resources in Assam are quite suitable, but certain parameters like iron and calcium levels need to be maintained. Elements like copper and zinc in trace amounts also support better pearl development.”
Verma revealed that initially, small-scale pearl farming requires around Rs 50,000– Rs 60,000 for approximately 2,000 mussels. The cost scales up depending on the number of mussels being cultivated.
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“India is one of the largest consumers of pearls, yet we import over 90% of our requirement, with China leading global production at around 96%. This creates a vast opportunity for indigenous pearl production in India, especially in regions like the Northeast where freshwater resources are abundant,” noted Verma while discussing the global and domestic demand.
As India aims to diversify its aquaculture base and reduce import dependency, such training programs offer a promising pathway for rural empowerment and economic self-sufficiency through bio-based entrepreneurship. The initiative by GBP is a step forward in making pearl farming a mainstream, profitable venture in the Northeast.
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