ROLE OF THE AQUAFISH INNOVATION LAB IN UNIVERSITY CAPACITY BUILDING AND AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN NEPAL  

Madhav K. Shrestha* and James S. Diana
 
 Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries
 Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal
 madhavshrestha1954@gmail.com

The AquaFish Innovation Lab (formerly CRSP) has supported developing aquaculture for sustained food security and nutrition in Nepal since 2002 by partnering with Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), formerly the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) at Tribhuvan University. The AquaFish program has helped in developing research capacity, research facilities, and ultimately in providing quality education for aquaculture and fisheries students in the university. In addition to research projects, AquaFish has supported 22 master's students for their research and assistantship, and also provided assistantships to 30 undergraduate students. It also supported faculty and students participation in international/national seminars and professional conferences. Aquafish has also assisted in organizing and financially helped sponsor aquaculture and fisheries conferences and national fairs in Nepal and the region.

AquaFish supported research projects in Nepal have mainly focused on development of low-cost aquaculture technology and inclusion of indigenous fish species in aquaculture. Funding has been provided to 4 faculty members, 2 government researchers, and also 3 U.S. students to complete research projects in Nepal. At least six technologies have been developed and tested in on-farm trials, which not only serve to determine adoption of technologies but also extend the concepts to practitioners. These trials include Polyculture of grass carp and Nile tilapia, Integrated cage-cum-pond culture systems of sahar (Tor putitora) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) with carps, Polyculture of sahar with mixed-sex Nile tilapia, Polyculture of sahar and Nile tilapia with carps, Inclusion of small indigenous fishes in carp polyculture ponds and Sahar breeding in the tropical and subtropical climates of Nepal. Overall, AquaFish funding and the opportunities generated for faculty members, students, and government officials have produced substantial gains for aquaculture development in Nepal, and helped the University develop a better infrastructure and training program for the future.