AQUA ENTREPRENEURS - GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND SUBSIDIES

The emergence of aquapreneurship marks a significant development in the integration of entrepreneurship with aquatic resource management and aquaculture-based industries. An aqua entrepreneur or aquapreneur is an individual who conceptualizes, establishes, and manages enterprises centered on water resources, encompassing activities such as fish, shellfish, and aquatic plant farming, as well as the development of water-related technologies. This entrepreneurial approach seeks to address global challenges related to water scarcity, sanitation, and environmental sustainability while simultaneously generating economic value. Aquapreneurship represents a transformative model that redefines traditional aquaculture practices into market-oriented and innovation-driven ventures. By applying technological advancements, strategic management, and sustainable practices, aquapreneurs play a crucial role in enhancing food security, promoting rural livelihoods, and supporting the broader objectives of the blue economy. Thus, aquapreneurship serves as a multidisciplinary framework that bridges science, technology, and business to ensure the sustainable utilization of aquatic resources for socio-economic and environmental progress. This paper focus on the meaning of aqua entrepreneurship, its growth and especially the schemes and subsidies provided by the government for the growth of aqua entrepreneurs in India.