Priti Gupta lives in Mumbai.
Narendra Garwa was in dire need of money. The small book store in Renwal was losing money.
He searched the internet for ideas to make money with his family. He had some success growing vegetables in plastic bottles, but ended up with pearls.
There are water issues in Rajasthan. He decided to try and grow pearls with limited water.
Pearls are formed when a mollusc is exposed to anirritant. The shells of aragonite and conchiolin are deposited by the mollusc.
Most pearls sold these days are from farmed molluscs, which are rare in the wild.
An irritant is injected into the mollusc to make it form a pearl. It is a delicate process and must be handled with care.
His first attempt was a failure. Only 35 of the 500 mussels he bought were still alive.
The journey to buy the mussels was 1,700 miles and took 36 hours. He used his savings and borrowed money to purchase the molluscs.
Mr Garwa kept the creatures in his back garden by digging a 10ft by 10ft pound hole.
He didn't give up despite the setbacks. He took a five day course in pearl farming.
He says growing an oyster is like giving birth.
It is important to monitor the water throughout the growth period.
He has a 40ft by 50ft pond which he treats with vitamins and alum to maintain the right pH level for growth.
The survival rate of his mussels has increased since he became more familiar with the process. Mr Garwa can sell his pearls for between 400 and 900 rupee.
pearl fishing is being encouraged by the Indian government as part of its Blue Revolution.
The government pays for half the cost of setting up a pond for pearl fishing, and so far the Department for Fisheries has given financial support to 232 pearl farming ponds.
The government is encouraging farmers to take up pearl farming, which is one of the most lucrative businesses.
Some people are not impressed with this wave of farming. Gunjan Shah is the fifth generation of his family to trade in pearls.
The owner of Babla Enterprises says that pearls grown in every corner of India are not of very good quality.
India is producing too many pearls that are not right.
If we want to compete with China, we need people who can grow sea water pearls. India has small oysters while China has large pearls.
South Sea pearls are the most valuable pearls on the market. There are a wide range of sizes, shapes and colors of pearls. A strand of South Sea pearls can cost as much as ten grand. In India, they are very rare.
This part of the industry should be developed by the government.
It will take time to build up a competitive pearl farming sector according to the government.
The sector will take time to grow because of thePearl family's expertise. The increase in the next three years is the plan according to Mr. Balaji.
We can focus on exports once we are able to grow enough pearls.
Mr Garwa offers courses for people who want to learn how to farm pearls.
Reena was one of his students and her first attempt was a failure.
None of the oysters were able to produce.
She is expecting to produce around 1,000 pearls.
It was a big leap for her to start her own business as women in her region often look after the home rather than work.
She says the smell is like freedom for people like them. We have learned how to help the family and have a say in family matters.
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