Demonstration and Transfer of Rural Technology at Balek, Lower Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh

Inaugural session in progress

ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Balek, Lower Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh organized Demonstration of Smoke Curing Fish in Hygienic Conditions and distributed 15 Community Fish Smoking Kilns (COFISKI) Units. The programme as part of CSR Scheme of Coal India Project “Community Fish Smoking Kilns for better health, hygiene, quality product with longer shelf life, sustainable income generation and lesser carbon foot print for hinterland women fishers belonging to economically under-privileged SC and ST groups” was organized at KVK, Balek on 12 February 2019. Dr. M.M. Prasad, Principal Investigator of the Project and HOD, MFB Division, ICAR-CIFT and Dr. T.J. Ramesha, Head, KVK, Balek appraised Smt Mitali Namchoom, IAS, Lower Debang Valley on the developmental programmes undertaken by ICAR-CIFT in harvest and post harvest fisheries in Lower Debang Valley as a part of NEH programmes of Government of India.  

Welcoming the gathering, Dr J. Ramesha praised the efforts of the Scientists of ICAR-CIFT who created awareness on the post harvest fisheries and different value added product development. Felicitation were offered by Shri Jatan Pulu, a progressive farmer who appreciated the progress made by women fishers of Lower Debang Valley with the help of ICAR-CIFT. He also advised women to make sure to work in union for development of Arunachal Pradesh. Smt Oimang Lego of Jiya Village who set an example of success story narrated her experience of journey of success and encouraged the women of Lower Debang Valley to become role models of the country. Delivering the Presidential Address Dr. M.M. Prasad said that the team work and toil of women fishers of Lower Dibang Valley is paying dividends in the form of success stories. He said women of Arunachal Pradesh in particular and NE Region states in general are leading in different walks of life. The same thing resulted in the women-centric projects such as Coal India Limited CSR scheme. The Chief Guest of the function Shri Tapik Pertin, ADC, Roing said that ICAR-CIFT needs all appreciations for the support provided to women fishers of Lower Dibang Valley and opined that women fishers are becoming trainers and are able to train other fisherwoman resulting in better development of the fisheries sector. Later certificates were also issued to the beneficiaries when the 15 nos. of COFISKI units worth 8 lakh rupees along with kits to handle smoke cured fish were distributed. The programme came to an end with a vote of thanks by Shri Jimmy Mize (SMS specialist of KVK). More than 70 fishers participated in the function.
 

 Distribution of COFISKI and kits

Explaining the COFISKI to the Chief Guest