Pearl Culture Demonstraion, Extension and Marketing Project Extends one more year.

A tripartite review meeting was held between Marine Research Centre, UNDP and Department of External Resources on September 22, 2008 to discuss the extension of the Pearl Culture Demonstration, Extension and Marketing Project (PCDEMP). It was agreed to extend the project for an additional 18 months in order to compl ete the rest of the activities outlined in the project. 

PCDEMP was initiated in collaboration with UNDP, with financial assistance from the Japan Human Resource Development Project, with the aim of increasing income and employment opportunities for rural populations and to diversify marine-based economic activities.

The project extension will focus mainly on establishing commercial pearl culture in Thulhaadhoo, Baa Atoll, and conducting appropriate trainings to facilitate commercial pearl farming. It will also focus on establishing linkages between pearl farming groups and various handicraft centres established in the country, as well as on creating sustainable markets for the pearl and mother-of-pearl products.

For more information please contact: Ms. Shafiya Naeem at MRC.