A farmer in Aivarnadu, Sullia taluk, has ventured into pearl farming, inspired by the freshwater aquaculture initiatives promoted by S. Angara, the Minister for Port, Fisheries, and Inland Water, who also represents the Sullia constituency. Naveen Chathubai, a farmer by profession, embraced freshwater mussel cultivation for pearl farming, ultimately achieving success by selling approximately 300 pearls to a dealer in Hyderabad.
Motivated by the minister’s insights on freshwater pearl farming, Naveen attended the Krishi Mela organized by the Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Bengaluru in 2021. At the event, he discovered a stall dedicated to creating awareness about pearl farming using freshwater mussels. Intrigued, he promptly registered for a five-day training program, which proved instrumental in kickstarting his pearl farming venture.
Recalling his journey, Naveen shared, “I received 100 freshwater mussels after the training, and I released them in a small lake on my farmland. About 90% of them survived. Subsequently, I procured 500 mussels from Bengaluru to scale up my cultivation efforts.”
Naveen, who now boasts two small tanks with a capacity of 5,000 liters each for mussel cultivation, emphasized the simplicity and space efficiency of freshwater aquaculture. Employing innovative techniques, such as laying plastic sheets beneath the water tanks to minimize evaporation, he successfully cultivates designer pearls used in jewellery.
Expressing the practicality of the cultivation process, Naveen stated, “The round pearl takes two years to cultivate, and with proper care, one can produce pearls within 10 to 12 months.” He highlighted the importance of scientific knowledge, including tank cleaning and protection from direct sunlight, for optimal results.
Naveen’s success has not only provided him with additional income but has also attracted visitors curious about the innovative farming techniques employed. While he eagerly awaits a new batch of freshwater mussels for the next harvest, his journey stands as a testament to the potential of embracing modern aquaculture practices to empower farmers and diversify income streams.