Tribal Sub Plan Training cum Demonstration Programme

The Visakhapatnam Research Centre of ICAR-CIFT conducted a TSP Training cum Demonstration on ‘Employment of Eco-friendly Fishing Gears and Preparation of Value added Products with Low Cost Fish” at Siltiguda, Rayagada District Odisha from 30^th March to 1^st April 2015.

The programme started with lighting of traditional lamp by Dr. M.M.Prasad, SIC of the Centre.  While addressing the participants Dr.Prasad explained about the efforts made by Government of India to cater the food and nutritional securities of 125 crore population specially the SC and ST groups. Importance of fish as food, health benefits of consuming fish at regular intervals, hygiene in handling post harvest fish and the importance having practical knowledge in preparation of value added products with low cost fish. Dr. R. Raghu Prakash, Principal Scientist explained about eco-friendly fishing gears, foldable fish traps and the nets designed and fabricated at ICAR-CIFT Visakhapatnam Research Centre with appropriate mesh size so as to minimize catching small and juvenile fishes.ShriDwivedi, ADF, Rayagada addressed the participants in local language. Vote of thanks was given by Shri B.K.Panda, ACTO.

During the three days programme the participants were given lectures on handling of fish at different stages right from harvest to postharvest, product development, storage till it reaches the consumer/plate; reasons for spoilage of fish and the measures to control the same, preparation of different value added fish products and uses of gears namely eco-friendly nature and less toil of the same over traditional one employed by them. The value added fish products demonstrated were in fish pickles, cutlets and pakoda.

Some important aspects observed in the program included:

1. The programme was conducted despite civic protest/hartal in Rayagada on 30^th March 2015 and over all bandh of Odisha on 31^st March 2015.
2. Though the TCD programme is intended for 50 participants in view of the participation of the whole village the TCD was to accommodate more number of participants that is
3. In the programme the beneficiaries are dominated by women fishers (95%) all belonging to ST groups.

The inputs such as foldable fish traps, gillnets, insulated fish bags based on the technologies developed ICAR-CIFT Visakhapatnam Research Centre were given ‘gratis’ to the participants besides ice boxes to transport fish from landing centre, heat sealer to help proper packaging of the product in hygienic conditions, for storage and also posters showing importance of consuming fish at regular basis to cater nutritional needs and also for increasing awareness among the tribal fishers.

The TSP TCD also generated much interest among NGOs, Executives of JK Paper Mills and local print and electronic media. Impressed by the efforts made by the ICAR-CIFT both NGOs and personnel of JK Paper Mills promised to extend the help to further the cause of Tribal Fishers especially the women in the form of CSR and more number training cum demonstration programs.

At the end of the program feedback session was held and the outcome is as follows:

1. All the participants are very much satisfied with the programme taken up ICAR-CIFT. More such programmes were requested by the participants.
2. Tilapia becomes an intruder in the reservoir. Efforts are being made by the StateDepartment officials to overcome the problem.
3. Participants requested some other items that are helpful in making the value added fish products.
4. All the participants requested for FRP Coracle

    Demonstration of value added fish products               Participants engaged in preparation

       Distribution of inputs to the benificiaries                        Feedback session in progress