Human resource planning for an fishery extension service.

Abstract

Fisheries and aquaculture are significant components of coastal agrarian milieu contributing significantly for the livelihood, nutritional and economic development. Human resource development is a continuous process and prerequisite for an effective extension service. A case study was undertaken among the 45 randomly chosen fishery extension officers of the Department of Fisheries, Tamil Nadu state to assess their perceptions on the human resource management in their organization, its human resource demand and supply and to suggest a human resource management strategy. The division of labour in the fisheries extension organization indicated that 60%, 30% and 5% of the existing extension manpower respectively involved in implementation of welfare schemes, fish seed production and culture, and research and extension services. Fishery resources and fisher folk population were identified as the criteria for human resource planning using Delphi technique and accordingly 5000 ha of inland capture area, 1000 ha of inland culture ponds/tanks and 20 marine fishing villages were the units of human resource planning. The human resource demand and supply were worked out respectively through focused group discussion and markov analysis. The study revealed that 40% additional human resource is required for an effective fishery extension service in the state with a vibrant capacity enhancement mechanism. Adequate human resource supply in the form of qualified fishery graduates is available with in the state for recruitment. Structural and functional reorientations in the department of fisheries, suitable human resource management strategy, budget and policy support are essential to revamp the fisheries extension service of the fisheries department.