Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR CIFT)

Training cum ToT programme at CIFT, Mumbai

Training cum Transfer of Technologies Programme for Tribal Fisherfolk at Bhutnal in Vijayapura District of Karnataka

Mumbai Research Centre of ICAR-CIFT conducted three days ‘Training cum Transfer of Technologies (ToT) programme’ for tribal fisherfolk under Tribal Subplan (TSP) of Govt. of India at Bhutnal, an inland fishing village in Vijayapura district of Karnataka during 25-27 February, 2016. The programme was conducted in collaboration with the Fisheries Research and Information Centre under KVAFSU, Bidar, Karnataka for transferring the suitable technologies developed by the Institute to the tribal fisherfolk for betterment of their livelihood.

The inauguration of the programme started with the welcome address by Dr. Vijayakumar, Professor and Head, Fisheries Research and Information Centre, Bhutnal. Dr. L. Narasimha Murthy, Scientist Incharge, Mumbai Research Centre of ICAR-CIFT then explained the mandates of the Institute covering harvest and post harvest sector of fisheries and the broad objectives of the programme. Further, he also explained the role of ICAR-CIFT under TSP for the socio-economic upliftment of the tribal fisherfolk in rural India. Shri Basavaraja E. Avati, Assistant Director of Research, KVASU, Bidar, Dr. S.M. Shiva Prakash, Director of Extension, KVASU and Smt. Rajeshree P. Chauvan, Zilla Panchayath Member of Bhutnal and President of the selected tribal society expressed their views and expectations from the programme. The pamphlets on Value added fishery products for distribution among the participants were also released on the occasion. Smt. Rekha K. Naikodi, one of the tribal women representatives also expressed her views.

The training programme was started with the brief overview of the activities to be conducted on that particular day by Dr. L.N. Murthy. Demonstration of hygienic handling of fish to the participants was conducted by Dr. L.N. Murthy, Dr. A. Jeyakumari, Scientist and Shri Tulshiram Waghmare, Senior Technician. Practical demonstration was given to fisher folk for proper cutting of the fillet from fish to get high yield. Fish pickle preparation and packing was done by the fisherwomen under the guidance of he ICAR-CIFT team.

On the second day preparation of battered and breaded products viz. fish fingers and fish cutlets was done by the fisherwomen. Fish processing equipments such as insulated fish boxes, insulated fish bags, sealing machines, plastic crates, hand operated meat mincers, packaging materials, hygienic handing materials, fish cutting boards, knifes etc. procured under the TSP funds were distributed and their utilization were demonstrated to the fisherfolk. Dr. B. Manjunath, Joint Director of Agriculture, Vijayapura and Dr. Vijayakumar, Professor & Head, FRIC, Bhutnal were also present during the day.

On the third day preparation of battered and breaded products viz. fish balls and butter fly shrimps were demonstrated. After the training programme Dr. Vijayakumar gave his feedback about the overall programme and highlighted the usefulness of the provided material for the tribal community. He requested ICAR-CIFT to extend the same support to the tribals of his area in future. He also requested to conduct training programme on fishing technology like use of different gear materials, advance technologies in fish harvesting, modern aids in fishing and other climatic changes in Inland fishing.

The programme ended with the closing address by Dr. L.N. Murthy wherein he urged the participants to use the given material properly and to try to learn the value added products in small scale and see for their marketing opportunities in nearby areas. He also thanked all the participants for their enthusiastic participation.