Ranchi: The Arki block in the Khunti District hit Maois has become the first block in this country to start pearl farming under the Van-Dhan Center scheme.
On Monday, the Minister of Tribal Union and MP Khunti Arjun Munda launched the scheme and said that the launch of the program from Khunti was a testimony with the central commitment to tribal welfare.
The program is being carried out with Trifed, the Ministry of Tribal Workers’ Union Entity, to promote market connection with adivated farmers through various interventions to help them earn better income from the forest and minor forest products.
Moving to Toi, Trifed Dinesh Kumar Ranjan program manager said that they had signed an agency MoU, Purty Agrotech, for the development of capacity and handholders of farmers in pearl cultivation.
All project fees were initially pegged at Rs 15 Lakh.
To begin with, pearl cultivation will take place in a water body, measuring 40×40 feet, and will be carried out by a group of 300 farmers consisting of several independent groups.
“Arki is the first block in the country where Trifed launches pearl agriculture starting today,” Ranjan said, adding that it takes around nine months for pearls to be harvested.
“After that, we will ensure the addition of values and other interventions needed for better market relationships.
On the other hand, our partner agents will give hand ownership to farmers as the main coach for this kind of agriculture,” he said, adding that depending on His success, they will launch a scheme in more areas under Van-Dhan.
Scheme in the future.
According to Ranjan, Pearl Cultivation is the latest aquaculture business that has great potential to significantly increase farmers’ income and their livelihoods.
Trifed also plans to establish van-dhan centers for the development of pearl capacity and marketing.
“According to the plan, initially 25 Van-Dhan centers were proposed to be established,” he said.
Union Min Munda launched the country’s first pearl agricultural scheme from the Arki block
