The College of Fisheries, Raha is a fisheries science institution located at Raha in the Nagaon district of Assam, India. It is one of the constituent colleges of Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, and forms a part of the university's network of faculties dedicated to agriculture, veterinary science, horticulture and allied disciplines in the state.
Overview
The college imparts education, conducts research and undertakes extension work in the field of fisheries science. As a constituent unit of Assam Agricultural University, it follows the academic framework laid down by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for fisheries education in India, offering structured programmes that combine aquaculture, fish biology, fish processing technology, aquatic environment management and fisheries economics.
Key facts
| Name | College of Fisheries, Raha |
|---|---|
| Type | Fisheries science institution (constituent college) |
| Parent university | Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat |
| Location | Raha, Nagaon district, Assam, India |
| Field | Fisheries and aquaculture |
| Country | India |
Background
Assam, with its extensive network of rivers, beels (oxbow lakes and wetlands), ponds and floodplain ecosystems linked to the Brahmaputra and Barak river systems, is one of the most fish-dependent states in India in terms of dietary preference. Inland fisheries and aquaculture are an important component of the rural economy of the state. The establishment of a dedicated fisheries college at Raha reflects the broader Indian model under which State Agricultural Universities maintain specialised colleges for veterinary science, horticulture and fisheries to address regional production and livelihood needs.
Raha, situated in central Assam in the Nagaon district, lies in a region with significant aquaculture activity and is well connected by road and rail, making it a suitable base for both teaching and field-oriented research in inland fisheries.
Academics and activities
As an institution operating within the Assam Agricultural University system, the College of Fisheries at Raha is associated with:
- Undergraduate education in fisheries science leading to the Bachelor of Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) degree, the standard professional degree prescribed by ICAR for fisheries graduates in India.
- Research in areas such as freshwater aquaculture, fish nutrition, fish health management, breeding of indigenous and cultured species, and fisheries resource management of beels and floodplain wetlands.
- Extension activities for fish farmers, including training programmes and technology dissemination relevant to inland fisheries in Assam and the wider North East India region.
Significance
The college contributes to the development of trained human resources in fisheries science for Assam and neighbouring states, supports research on indigenous fish species and aquaculture practices suited to the agro-climatic conditions of the Brahmaputra valley, and complements the work of other institutions engaged in fisheries development in the region. Within the AAU framework, it works alongside the university's faculties of agriculture, veterinary science and horticulture to address rural livelihoods in an integrated manner.
Related topics
- Assam Agricultural University
- Fisheries in India
- Aquaculture in India
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research
- Nagaon district
- Agriculture in Assam
- List of fisheries colleges in India
References
- Wikidata entity: Q130386160
- Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat — official institutional information on constituent colleges.
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research — guidelines on fisheries education and the B.F.Sc. degree programme in India.