Ranchi: The Arki block in the Maoist district of Khunti has become the first block in the country to engage in pearl farming under the Centre’s Van-Dhan programme. On Monday, Union Tribal Affairs Minister and Khunti MP Arjun Munda launched the program and said that rolling out the program from Khunti is a testament to the Center’s commitment to the welfare of the tribals.
The program is undertaken by Trifed, an entity of the Union Tribal Ministry, to promote business linkages with Adivasi farmers through various interventions to help them derive better income from forest and minor forest products.
Speaking to TOI, Trifed program manager Dinesh Kumar Ranjan said he signed a memorandum of understanding with state-owned agency Purty Agrotech, for capacity building and support to farmers in pearl farming . The total project cost is initially set at Rs 15 lakh.
To begin with, pearl farming will take place in a 12 by 12 meter body of water and will be carried out by a group of 300 farmers comprising several self-help groups. “Arki is the first block in the country where Trifed is rolling out pearl farming starting today,” Ranjan said, adding that it takes around nine months for the pearls to be harvested.
“Thereafter, we will ensure the added value and other interventions necessary for better links with the market. On the other hand, our partner agency will provide assistance to farmers as a master trainer for this type of farming,” he said, adding that based on its success, they will roll out the program to more areas. under the Van-Dhan. diet in the future.
According to Ranjan, pearl farming is the latest aquaculture activity that has immense potential to significantly improve farmers’ incomes and livelihoods. Trifed also plans to set up van-dhan centers for capacity building and pearl marketing. “According to the plan, it is initially proposed to establish 25 van-dhan centers,” he said.
The program is undertaken by Trifed, an entity of the Union Tribal Ministry, to promote business linkages with Adivasi farmers through various interventions to help them derive better income from forest and minor forest products.
Speaking to TOI, Trifed program manager Dinesh Kumar Ranjan said he signed a memorandum of understanding with state-owned agency Purty Agrotech, for capacity building and support to farmers in pearl farming . The total project cost is initially set at Rs 15 lakh.
To begin with, pearl farming will take place in a 12 by 12 meter body of water and will be carried out by a group of 300 farmers comprising several self-help groups. “Arki is the first block in the country where Trifed is rolling out pearl farming starting today,” Ranjan said, adding that it takes around nine months for the pearls to be harvested.
“Thereafter, we will ensure the added value and other interventions necessary for better links with the market. On the other hand, our partner agency will provide assistance to farmers as a master trainer for this type of farming,” he said, adding that based on its success, they will roll out the program to more areas. under the Van-Dhan. diet in the future.
According to Ranjan, pearl farming is the latest aquaculture activity that has immense potential to significantly improve farmers’ incomes and livelihoods. Trifed also plans to set up van-dhan centers for capacity building and pearl marketing. “According to the plan, it is initially proposed to establish 25 van-dhan centers,” he said.