Rajasthan, mostly known for sand and desert is the largest state in India with an area of 3,42,239 km2. The state is endowed with four major river basins viz. Chambal, Mahi, Luni and Ghaghghar river basin. It has 4.26765 lakh ha. freshwater area under 15,561 water bodies, besides this 30,000 ha. as river and canals, 80,000 ha. Water logged area and 1.80 lakh ha. salt affected area at full tank level is also available.
Fish production in the state has reached up to 58,000 mt. (2019-20) with an average fish production of 208 kg/ha earning revenue of Rs.7500.00 lakh. Though, it has grown at the annual rate of 9% during last 8 years, above the national average growth rate of 8%. Fish seed production has reached to 1216.41 million fry; however, the requirements are 4865 million spawn/yr. About 22,000 farmers and fishers are also engaged in fisheries related activities in the state.
Productivity from reservoir in the state is above the national average, whereas the productivity of small water bodies in Rajasthan is far less than the national average. Thus there is an immense scope for the development of the Fisheries sector in the State. With innovation and diversification in fisheries activities the state can boost its fish production by 2-3 fold and by generating self employment and skill development a fourfold increase in job opportunities are expected in the sector by 2030. Besides adoption of modern technologies, training of stake holders and rural youths especially in tribal sub-plan areas is the need of the hour.
Looking to the need of the hour the erstwhile Department of Limnology and Fisheries, under Rajasthan College of Agriculture was upgraded to the status of College of Fisheries in November, 2003 under the aegis of Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur. The college received formal approval of the state Government in April, 2010 with the grant of Rs. 4.00 Crore under the RKVY scheme from the State Government mainly for the development of infrastructure.
In order to make fisheries education relevant to present day needs, produce graduates with entrepreneurial skills for self-employment and contributors of rural livelihood and food security need, it was felt for reorienting fisheries education. As per recommendations of V Deans’ committee, a new course curriculum has been adopted and syllabus was reformed. Accordingly, following seven departments have been created: (1) Aquaculture (2) Fisheries Resource Management (3) Aquatic Environment Management (4) Aquatic Animal Health Management (5) Fish Processing Technology (6) Fisheries Engineering and (7) Fisheries Extension, Economics and Statistics. With adequate infrastructure and essential laboratory facilities. The college presently offers 4 yrs UG (B.F.Sc), 2 yrs PG (M.F.Sc.-Aquaculture) and Ph.D.(Aquaculture) programmes.
We have a goal to provide professional education in aquaculture and enhance knowledge in the field of fisheries for exploitation and management of fisheries resources in Rajasthan and to popularize various concepts of aquaculture to the rural and urban masses. I am happy that recently our students have made a place in the Fisheries Department of GoR as Fisheries Development Officer and in some private organizations. The efforts of the college are bestowed with the dynamic leadership of our learned Vice-Chancellor, mentoring by our learned ex-faculty and inter institutional linkages with leading institutions of the nation e.g., ICAR, CIFE, CIFT, CIFRI, NBFGR, FSI etc.
Dr. B.K. Sharma
DEAN
Waiting for final approval
