Pearl farming in Phu Dien

​            Pearl products processed into jewelry.

A good land for pearl farming

As soon as he arrived in Phu Dien to check the water source, with the experience of a long-time pearl farmer, Quang noticed that the water source in Phu Dien has a lot of algae, suitable for culturing pearls. With the knowledge obtained for more than 25 years in the field, he himself is capable of growing more algae for his clams by microbiological methods, so he decided to choose Phu Dien to establish a freshwater pearl culture facility. In addition to pearl transplantation and adjusting the water environment for clams, regular care is also a factor for shiny and beautiful pearls. To achieve this result, it is required that farmers must regularly clean clams and check the water and light quality.

Introducing the glittering purple pearls, Mr. Quang proudly said: “In the world, there is only one product of purple freshwater pearl that has been successfully farmed in Vietnam. For these products, customers who want to buy must deposit 30% in advance, and products are delivered after 2 years of order. Japanese customers are really fond of these products and the price is also very high, each one costs from several million VND depending on size”. After taking pearls from clams, the mother-of-pearl shell can be ground into powder for cosmetics, and oyster meat can be used as cattle feed, etc.

With the successes from the pearl culture technology, for the past 3 years, when the state issues incentives for high-tech aquaculture, he has been supported by the local preferential policies for pearl farming. Currently, he is invited by many departments of the southwestern provinces to transfer the pearl farming technology for people's life improvement. As for farmers who are available with ponds but only benefit from one source of fish, when the technology is transferred, additional income is generated from pearl farming for income increase without affecting the preceding job in Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Dong Thap, and Vinh Long Provinces. Currently, farmers only need to invest in raw materials while breeds and techniques are invested by Mr. Quang. In the harvest season, Mr. Quang buys pearl products for farmers at the best price.

   Untreated crude pearls.​

Hoping for future achievements

His pearl culture facility is located in Phu Dien Commune, Tan Phu Commune, with a total cultured area of more than 5 thousand m2, Mr. Quang invests billions of dong to renovate and purchase equipment and facilities for pearl farming.

With a lot of expectation on the futuristic "predestined relationship" with the rich land of Phu Dien, Mr. Quang plans to establish a complete process from breeding to transplanting and treating finished pearls. Self-breeding practices help to support farmers with more breeds. Artificial pearl transplant can be performed in an ordinary pearl oyster of about 18-24 months.

Examination of pearls after successful transplant.

Quang advised that Phu Dien has great potential for tourism development combined with production and aquaculture models. In particular, the model of raising high-tech pearls enables people to combine with local tourism development. According to Quang, pearl farming is a high-tech agriculture, so if there are supportive policies from the local government, this new agriculture will definitely have opportunities to develop among the people. Currently, the number of pearls harvested is supplied to the Japanese market. In the future, Quang will establish a chain of culturing, consuming, producing and trading pearls.

Phan Anh