ICAR-CIFT Organizes Trainers Training at Umladhkur, Meghalaya

As a part of Coal India Limited CSR Scheme ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi organized one day trainers training workshop on “Smoke Curing of Fish by Scientific and Hygienic Methods Employing COFISKI” at Umladhkur of Amlarem Block of West Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya in collaboration DRDA Jowai, West Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya on 3rd December, 2018.  The programme started with welcome address by Shri Paul, DRDA who has given in details all the benefits of producing good quality smoke cured fish for better price realization, longer shelf life and helping in improving socio-economic condition. Dr. M.M. Prasad, Principal Scientist and Head, Microbiology, Fermentation and Biotechnology Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology delivered Presidential address. He said the immediate need in the region is meeting the demands of food and nutritional security and that is possible only through foods like fish that contain more than 40 nutrients. For better development of children, pregnant mothers and lactating mothers, the need is better quality food. He said ICAR-CIFT is playing a very important role in training the fishers especially women fishers in value added fish product development such as fish wafers, pickles and smoke cured fish products for the last five years. It shall be noted that out of 26 beneficiaries of COFIS units under CIL CSR scheme in West Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya 17 belonged to Umladhkur. ICAR-CIFT has been vigorously involved in enhancing the capabilities of women fishers of Umladhkur by imparting training on production of better quality smoke cured fish. This has helped tremendously in not just producing better quality smoke cured fish, but some trainees become trainers grasping all the important aspects of smoke curing of fish. They are able to communicate to others and could demonstrate which is a major satisfaction to the continuous efforts of ICAR-CIFT. The trainers have demonstrated smoke curing of fish to other trainees. At the end trainees displayed the smoke cured fish product developed by them. The programme came to an end with vote of thanks by one of the Block Officers of Amlarem.