For many of us, pearl farming is a new practice in Nepal. But it happens to be one of the thriving aquaculture businesses in neighboring India.
Kamala Rai of Sundar Haraicha, Morang, also had no knowledge of it until she came across a YouTube video about freshwater pearl farming in India. His interest was instantly piqued. She then watched several pearl farming instructional videos and realized that she could start her own business.
“For most of us, the term pearl farming conjures up images of large bodies of water like seas and oceans. I thought the same thing until a few years ago,” says Rai. “But, in reality, it can be done in a small pond with a little investment and a bit of knowledge.”
She founded the Shree Mahakali Pearl Farm and Training Center in 2018, in what is still Nepal’s first and only commercial pearl farm.
“On our farm, we use freshwater mussels to grow cultured pearls,” Rai explains. “Once the pearls are extracted, the mussel shells can be used to make jewelry, crafts, and fish food.”
Mussel pearl farming is a unique business with great potential. As one of the most popular gems, pearls are in high demand in the country. Nepal imported pearls and other precious stones and metals worth $376.24 million in 2019, according to the United Nations COMTRADE international trade database.
Rai says most people doubted her when she started the business.
“I was doing what had never been done before. So, naturally, people were skeptical. But these days they are more curious,” she says.
Rai also wants others to join the business. To that end, his farm offers a three-month training that promises knowledge of all aspects of freshwater pearl farming, including surgery, pre-operative and post-operative mussel care.
As a self-taught pearl farmer, Rai had to undertake many trials. She says she opened the training center so that aspiring pearl farmers would have a basic foundation before starting their own farms.
Currently, the Shree Mahakali Pearl Farm only sells individual pearls, which range in price from Rs 300 to Rs 600 each depending on their size, quality and luster.
“We will soon start selling our pearls as jewelry as well,” Rai says.
Shree Mahakali Pearl Farm and Training Center
Year of establishment: 2018
Founder: Kamala Rai
Place of Service: Sundar Haraicha, Morang
Product price: Rs 300 to Rs 600 (depending on the size, quality and shine of the pearls)
Contact: 9842234064
Social media link: https://www.facebook.com/273093550209357/posts/shree-mahakali-new-business-pearl-farming-in-nepal/591747631677279/