Carol Sanders | School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences
PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Dr. Ganesh Kumar has received the 2015 Best Ph.D. Dissertation Award from the International Association of Aquaculture Economics and Management, the professional organization of aquaculture economists.
Presented at the World Aquaculture Society meeting in Las Vegas recently, this award recognizes research excellence and contribution to the profession by a doctoral candidate in the area of aquaculture economics, marketing and management.
Dr. Kumar’s dissertation presents an explanation of the theory behind technology adoption and lists the factors influencing the technology adoption process. It is the only known study that investigates the technology adoption process in the U.S. catfish industry and is the first study to analyze the economic and investment feasibilities of alternate catfish production systems addressing the key question of “why farmers do what they do” when it comes to choosing technology.
Originally from India, Dr. Kumar earned a bachelor’s degree in fisheries science from Kerala Agricultural University, India in 1999, and a master’s degree in inland aquaculture from the Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai in 2001. He was a technical and marketing consultant for two leading shrimp feed giants for four years before coming to the U.S. and earning a second master’s degree in aquaculture marketing from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) in 2007.
Then, Dr. Kumar worked for UAPB as a research associate in aquaculture economics and marketing while earning his doctoral degree in aquaculture economics. He is UAPB’s first student to earn a Ph.D. He credits his dissertation committee, headed by Dr. Carole R. Engle, former chair of UAPB’s aquaculture/fisheries department, for guiding him through his journey towards earning a Ph.D.
The output from his research at UAPB is expected to generate Extension publications and articles in peer-reviewed journals and marketing with UAPB.
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