Ranchi: Agriculture minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey on Tuesday said Hazaribag would be developed as Jharkhand’s model district for pearl farming.The announcement came after the minister reviewed pearl farming clusters in Nagwa and Churchu villages. The govt-backed initiative seeks to diversify fisheries, supplement agricultural income and improve rural livelihoods. Farmers joining the programme receive financial assistance of Rs 16,000 per unit.“An effective action plan will be formulated to provide pearl farmers with improved technology, training, market linkages and other necessary support,” Tirkey said.“Our objective is not merely to expand schemes but to raise farmers’ incomes and create sustainable employment opportunities in rural areas. Concrete steps will be taken to make Hazaribag a model district for pearl farming in Jharkhand,” she added.Tirkey also reviewed the biofloc high-density fish-farming scheme. A 25-tank unit costs around Rs 25 lakh, with the state govt providing a subsidy of up to 60%. Officials said the scheme is gaining popularity among local youths and generating self-employment opportunities in villages.The minister directed officials to conduct regular field-level reviews and resolve beneficiaries’ grievances on priority.
