July 9, 2020
The MBA Fisheries Enterprise Management (MBA- FEM) was launched to bridge the gap between the skilled workforces in the fishery sector. Marine sector is an important source of employment and income for people living in coastal areas and other man forces, but fisheries and aquaculture are still widely seen as a job opportunity for fish farmers and ancillary industries. Realizing the lack of managerial talent and skilled workforce that needed to uplift the fisheries sector, Tamil Nadu Dr.J.Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU) started a two-year MBA Fisheries Enterprise Management (MBA –FEM) in 2018.
“The launch of the two-year MBA programme was a response to industry demand to create managerial workforce needed for the sector. Shortlisted candidates are taught both business management and entrepreneurship skills with a focus on fisheries and aquaculture business enterprises,” said S. A. Shanmugam, Dean, Faculty of Basic Science, TNJFU. The absence of a specialized workforce expressed Shanmugam, has left the marine industry with limited options with most of the fisheries end up by hiring regular MBAs with very limited knowledge of the fishing industry.
To give more support to MBA, the university also offers a three-year BBA programme in Fisheries. The undergraduate programme was launched in 2019. Currently, a total of 40 seats, 20 each for BBA and MBA are offered by the university.
Initial first two years, the programme received a lukewarm response with most of the candidates were from Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states who had applied. With its outreach programme and efforts to connect with other universities, there were positive results this year, informed Shanmugam. “The university has already received more than 50 queries about the programme from across India,” conveyed Shanmugam.
Job opporunities
After the completion of the course, a candidate will be employed as an HR manager, marketing executives and other roles in fisheries export and import companies, aquaculture and sea production centres seafood processing units and fishing vessels to name a few. “Candidates with fisheries background along with an MBA degree will get an edge during the recruitment,” he added.
The placement for the first batch was encouraging with a few fisheries companies approached the institute campus for selection. However, this has been kept on hold for time period due to the ongoing crisis.
“Campus placements have been deferred due to COVID-19 and subsequent delay in course completion. The college authorities have been approached by companies for the recruitment,” he added.
Eligibility and admission
Any undergraduate candidate is eligible to apply for the programme, though, candidates with fisheries background will be given prime preference. The admission to the MBA in fisheries enterprise management is offered based on academic performance and group discussion.
Future prospects
The central govt has introduced a new scheme, called Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). In this, an investment of Rs. 20,050 crore has been approved for the next five years. This scheme is formulated to generate about 15 lakh direct employment and thrice the number as indirect employment opportunities along with the supply and value chain. “A part of this budget will be utilized to develop and accelerate the infrastructure needed to uplift the sector and a skilled workforce would be required for strong and sustainable growth. Hence implementation of the project is a win-win situation,” said Shanmugam.
Added feature of the scheme anticipates to fill major gaps in fish cultivation, increase productivity with better quality, technology, creating post-harvest infrastructure and management, introducing modernization and strengthening the supply chain, traceability of the consignments, establishing a robust fisheries management framework and fishers’ welfare taking the sector on a higher platform of recognition.