Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR CIFT)

Trainer's workshop

Trainer’s workshop on Trends in Harvest and Post Harvest Fisheries

ICAR-CIFT, Kochi, ICAR Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya and Department of Fisheries, Government of Meghalaya have jointly organized a one day Trainer’s workshop on "Trends in harvest and post harvest fisheries" in at ICAR RC for NEH Region Umiam on 20 November, 2015.

In the inaugural function Dr. M.M. Prasad, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer, NEH and TSP Programmes in the capacity of Organizing Secretary of the workshop delivered the welcome address. This was followed by lighting of traditional lamp by the dignitaries on the dais. Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, Director, ICAR-CIFT, Kochi in his address opined that one of the major hindrances for total utilization of fish is the post harvest losses and wastes. He said that in all eight sisters North Eastern States namely Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura the fish production is yet to reach the demand. However, the fresh fish in iced condition and other means is being intra country imported from states like Andhra Pradesh to NEH Region to meet the demand. He also said that ICAR-CIFT is actively involved in development of harvest and post harvest fisheries for the last one and half decades in the NEH region. He further added that the technologies that are already existing and the advanced type needed to be taken on priority basis. Dr. S.V. Ngachan, Director, ICAR Complex for NEH Region in his Presidential address opined that Meghalaya is predominantly a fish consuming state with an annual production of fish from all sources is about 7,000 MT against an annual requirement of more than 30,000 MT. Therefore, to meet the local demand the state imports fresh as well as dry fish on a regular basis from different Indian states especially the Andhra Pradesh. He felt extremely happy that as part of the NEH programme, the ICAR–CIFT Visakhapatnam Research Centre is organizing a one day Workshop. The Chief Guest of the programme, Smt. I.R. Sangma, Director Department of Fisheries, Government of Meghalaya said that in Meghalaya, fishery was given a major focus by the present Government and the Department of Fishery has been continuously striving to address different issues related to fish culture to ensure sustainable fish production and production of fish seeds. She added that the Workshop is a significant one for Fishery Officers in enhancing the scientific information in the right time.

The august gathering released the following two publications of ICAR-CIFT:

Proceedings of the Workshop on "Trends in harvest and post harvest fisheries" containing detailed information on the lectures delivered by the expert resource persons, C.N. Ravishankar (Chief Editor), M.M. Prasad, B. Madhusudana Rao and G. Rajeswari (Editors)

ICAR-CIFT Technology Advisory Series-16: ‘Requirements for a mini fish processing unit (For small scale entrepreneurs, self-help groups and co-operatives) ISBN: 978-81-930245-3-9. 2015. (B. Madhusudana Rao, George Ninan, A.A. Zynudheen, C.O. Mohan, M.M. Prasad, K. Ashok Kumar and C.N. Ravishankar)

The inaugural session concluded with vote of thanks by Dr. T.V. Sankar, Principal Scientist & HOD I/c, ICAR-CIFT, Kochi.

The following lectures were delivered by the expert resource persons during technical session:

Responsible fishing in inland waters - Dr. P. Pravin
Future fishing technology activities of CIFT in NEH - Dr. M.P. Remesan
An over view of traditional fishing practices and advanced technologies for North Eastern States of India – Dr. G. Rajeswari
ICAR-CIFT activities for development of post harvest fisheries in Meghalaya – Dr. M.M. Prasad
Fisheries resources of Meghalaya and aquaculture potential – Dr. S.K. Das
Post harvest technologies in freshwater fisheries sector for small scale entrepreneurs - Dr. George Ninan
Quality assurance with specific reference to chemical hazards and Delivering healthy living through safe food from farm to fork (Dr. T.V. Sankar

After the completion of talks of expert resource persons, plenary session was held which was chaired by Dr. S.V. Ngachan, Director, ICAR RC for NEHR, Umiam. Panel discussions were held in which the opinion and information sought by the participants was given due consideration. The Plenary Session came to an end after the distribution of the certificates to the participants by the Chairperson of the session.