Hazaribag has been recognized as India’s first pearl farming cluster under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, strengthening fisheries innovation and rural livelihood opportunities.

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• Hazaribag has been developed as India’s first pearl farming cluster with an investment of ₹22 crore under joint efforts of central and Jharkhand governments.
• The initiative started as a pilot project during 2019-20 and evolved into a structured ecosystem including training, production, processing, and marketing support for pearl cultivation.
• A pearl farming cluster integrates cultivation, training, value addition, and market linkage within a defined geographical region to enhance productivity and income generation.
• The Purty Agrotech Training Centre in Ranchi has trained more than 132 farmers in advanced pearl culture techniques using modern aquaculture practices and scientific methods.
• According to National Fisheries Development Board, over 1.02 lakh pearls have been produced in Hazaribag, reflecting strong growth in pearl farming activities.
• Jharkhand has developed a strong base of more than 800 trained pearl farmers across the state, supporting expansion of aquaculture and rural employment opportunities.
• The cluster uses the freshwater mussel species Hyriopsis cumingii for pearl cultivation and plans to establish a brood bank for sustainable production.
• The initiative promotes value addition, skill development, and institutional support, making Hazaribag a model hub for pearl farming and fisheries development in India.