The National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in its meeting held in March 2016 has granted accreditation to the College of Fisheries and the College of Dairy Science and Technology of the Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU). The College of Veterinary Science of this University had already been accredited in 2013, informed GADVASU Registrar, Dr. S. Prabhakar. GADVASU was established with the mandate to promote the livestock sector through production of trained human power and need based research in its constituent field’s. It became functional in 2006 with College of Veterinary Science at Ludhiana as its sole constituent institute. However, keeping in view the importance of the fisheries and dairy sectors, College of Fisheries and College of Dairy Science & Technology were established in the year 2008 as constituent colleges of GADVASU. Over a short span of 8-years, both these Colleges have made significant contributions in the fields of teaching, research and extension in fisheries and in dairy technology. The Colleges have contributed in the shape of quality skilled graduates and postgraduates and generating need/based technologies for expansion of the respective sectors.
A “Lab to Land” programme for extension of the developed technology to the farmers of the state has brought in many extensive changes into these sectors to enhance the economic status of the farming community. Considering the infrastructure, significant manpower and the contributions made by these Colleges, the ICAR granted accreditation to these Colleges. The College of Fisheries through an innovative research, has established protocols whereby fisheries can also be undertaken in water logged and salt affected Southern Districts of the State. Further research is in progress on development of high value fish to enhance profitability of the farms. Similarly the College of Dairy Science and Technology have contributed through development of Milk Cooler for use by the small holder private farms, which will go a long way in dairy and in enhancing the profit of the farms. Research on value addition to milk products and extension of this technology to the farmers has already shown dividends to the farmers income. Dr. A.S. Nanda, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU has congratulated the Deans and the staff of the Colleges for their sincere efforts to create international level facilities and teaching standards and conveyed his best wishes for the future programmes.
