National Webinar  

India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector is witnessing rapid transformation through innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven initiatives. One such important initiative is the Fisheries Innovation and Startup Hub 

MANAGE–FISHub has been established at the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, with the support of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.

This national-level incubation and innovation hub focuses on strengthening the fisheries and aquaculture startup ecosystem by promoting innovative technologies, entrepreneurship, and knowledge exchange.

As part of this initiative, MANAGE–FISHub conducts a Fortnightly Webinar Series aimed at sharing expert knowledge and practical insights with participants across India.

Upcoming Webinar

Topic: Pearl Culture – Business & Startup Opportunities
Date: 13 March 2026
Time: 11:00 AM
Platform: WebEx

The webinar will bring together domain experts and participants from across the fisheries and aquaculture sector, including aquapreneurs, startup founders, researchers, and students.

Resource Person – Nanjappa Puggera

The session will feature Mr. Nanjappa Puggera, founder of Indian Pearl Farm, who will share his experiences and insights on pearl culture and its emerging role in aquaculture entrepreneurship.

Through Indian Pearl Farm, Nanjappa Puggera has been actively promoting awareness, training, and knowledge-sharing in the field of pearl farming. His work focuses on encouraging farmers, youth entrepreneurs, and aquaculture enthusiasts to explore pearl culture as a high-value niche agribusiness opportunity.

Pearl Culture – An Emerging Aquaculture Opportunity

Pearl culture represents one of the most fascinating examples of biomineralization in nature, where a mollusc produces layers of nacre to form a pearl.

Unlike conventional agriculture, pearl culture is a skill-based aquaculture activity that combines:

• Biology

• Water management

• Technical skill

• Entrepreneurship

With the right training and scientific approach, pearl farming can become a sustainable and high-value aquaculture enterprise.

Strengthening the Fisheries Startup Ecosystem

Initiatives like MANAGE–FISHub, supported by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, play a crucial role in building a strong ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in the fisheries sector.

By bringing together experts, startups, and aspiring entrepreneurs, such platforms help promote knowledge sharing and encourage the adoption of emerging opportunities like pearl culture.

Indian Pearl Farm

Indian Pearl Farm is dedicated to promoting pearl culture through training programs, workshops, and knowledge dissemination. The initiative aims to empower individuals to explore pearl farming as a scientifically managed and entrepreneurship-driven aquaculture activity.