The Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU) is a state public university based in Nagpur, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is dedicated to higher education, research and extension in the fields of veterinary science, animal husbandry, dairy technology and fisheries science. The university brings together institutions across Maharashtra that previously functioned under the state's agricultural universities.
| Name | Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University |
|---|---|
| Acronym | MAFSU |
| Type | State public university |
| Headquarters | Nagpur, Maharashtra, India |
| Country | India |
| Focus areas | Veterinary science, animal husbandry, dairy and fishery sciences |
Overview
MAFSU is structured as a multi-campus university with its headquarters in Nagpur and constituent colleges spread across Maharashtra. It conducts undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes, and undertakes research and extension activities directed at livestock owners, dairy farmers and fishery cooperatives in the state.
Background
Before the establishment of MAFSU, veterinary and animal sciences education in Maharashtra was offered through faculties affiliated to the four state agricultural universities. To consolidate teaching, research and field outreach in animal and fishery sciences under a single specialised institution, the Government of Maharashtra created a dedicated state university with its seat at Nagpur, modelled on similar specialised universities elsewhere in India.
Academic structure
The university typically offers programmes through constituent veterinary colleges, a dairy technology institute and a fisheries college. Common areas of study include:
- Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc. & A.H.)
- Bachelor of Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.)
- Bachelor of Technology in Dairy Technology (B.Tech. Dairy Technology)
- Master's and doctoral programmes in veterinary disciplines such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, surgery, gynaecology, medicine, public health, parasitology and animal nutrition
- Postgraduate programmes in fisheries and dairy sciences
Research and extension
Research at MAFSU is oriented towards practical issues affecting Maharashtra's livestock and fisheries sectors, including animal disease diagnosis, reproduction and breeding, livestock productivity, dairy processing, aquaculture and inland fisheries. Extension activities take the form of farmer training programmes, animal health camps, cattle and buffalo improvement initiatives, and outreach through Krishi Vigyan Kendras and field units attached to its colleges.
Significance
As the only state university in Maharashtra dedicated to animal and fishery sciences, MAFSU plays a central role in producing veterinarians, dairy technologists and fishery scientists for the state. Its work supports Maharashtra's dairy industry, poultry sector, livestock economy and inland and marine fisheries, and it contributes to public veterinary services through trained graduates who staff government veterinary hospitals and dispensaries.
Related topics
- Veterinary Education in India
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research
- Veterinary Council of India
- Dairy Farming in India
- Fisheries in India
- Universities in Maharashtra
- Nagpur
References
- Wikidata entity: Q6733318
- Government of Maharashtra, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries.