Technology transfer, adoption and performance evaluation of pearl culture technology at selected ecosystems of India

Abstract

ICAR-CMFRI has developed technologies for breeding and seed production of many commercially important molluscs. One such is the marine pearl culture technology. The technology has been developed way back in 1973, pearl culture was undertaken by the fishers of Veppalodai, Thoothukudi district under the guidance of ICAR-CMFRI and established the interest and farming skill by producing quality pearls. Subsequently many aspects of pearl oyster resources were studied in detail by various researchers and a rich knowledge was obtained on the subject. The technology developed by ICAR-CMFRI has been transferred to various State government, private and joint ventures in Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh. Partial technology transfer to fisherfolks of Mundalmunai village, Mandapam through financial support of M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF, Chennai) and good amount of pearls were produced but, due to non sustenance of funding it couldn’t continue beyond the project period. At this juncture the current programme was implemented in three different centres viz., Kollam (Kerala), Kalpeni (Lakshadweep islands) and Sippikulam, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu with an aim of training and total transferring of the technology of image (‘mabe’) and spherical pearl production to the fishers and empower them in marine pearl culture production technology. In this paper an attempt is made to detail the experience and results of adoption of village/SHG’s respectively, feasibility study for pearl culture using Indian pearl oyster Pinctada fucata, development of infrastructure, training imparted, skill evaluation and the Available online at: www.mbai.org.in doi: 10.6024/jmbai.2018.60.1.2027-06 results of independent pearl culture by the beneficiaries at the respective centre/SHG. The trained group at Sippikulam, Thoothukudi was capable of producing 4.4-7.7% commercial grade spherical pearls, the SHG’s at Kollam and Kalpeni centres developed expertise and produced 15-20% good quality ‘mabe’ pearl. As an encouragement/proof, the product was given to the team concerned. A project proposal was also prepared for the follow up and continuance of the culture with State Fisheries Department for funding was handed over to the group. Strong linkage was developed by liaisoning the groups with the State Department Officials of the respective centre for further follow up. The success of the implementation of the project at the three centres was evaluated by seven indicators.