To overcome the challenges posed by recurring droughts and low crop yields, a group of farmers in Osmanabad, Maharashtra, have turned to cultivating oyster pearls.
With a collective investment of Rs 20 lakh, the group started oyster farming in 2021. Led by Sanjay Narsing Pawar, farmers harvested 8,000 pearls in an acre of pond, earning Rs 40 lakh.
Sanjay shares six tips on how to start oyster pearl farming for beginners.
1. How to identify good oysters“Source good quality oysters to get A-grade quality pearls. The size of the oyster should be between 2.5 to 3 inches. Its outer cover should be golden in colour,” he says.
2. Know the marketSanjay highlights that usually ‘designer debris’ in the shape of Hindu deities Ganesha, Rama, Shiva, the Ashoka Chakra, etc are implanted in the oyster.
“The final pearls come out in the shape of these symbols,” he explains.
Sanjay adds, “You should be informed about the market demand. If you implant the nucleus of Ganesh ji, and go to sell in a Ram temple, then it would not be profitable.”
3. Master the easier surgeryThere are several types of surgical procedures in pearl cultures — like gonadal implantation, mantle tissue implantation, and mantle cavity insertion.
“I suggest that farmers learn mantle tissue surgery as it is easier to perform and the chances of oysters are higher as compared to other kinds,” he says.
4. Prepare the pond“It is important to provide a river-like ecosystem for oysters. To ensure this, you must introduce algae inside the pond. Algae is the major food source of an oyster,” he adds.
5. Check the pHSanjay points out that farmers should ensure a pH of eight inside the water tank. “If pH is more than eight (alkaline), oysters will not survive. If the pH is higher, keep changing the water.”
6. Maintain the temperature“In oyster pearl farming, we must ensure a temperature of 32 degrees Celsius. We use aerators to regulate the temperature inside the water bank,” he says.