Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR CIFT)

Workshop on Hygienic Preparation of Cured Fish

ICAR-CIFT Visakhapatnam Research Centre organized a one day TSP Workshop on “Hygienic preparation of cured fish employing ICAR-CIFT solar drier” at Kodikallavalasa, Pedagadda Reservoir, Salur Mandal, Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh on 13^th Augus,t 2015. The programme benefited 80 tribal fishers which included substantial number of women fishers. In the inaugural address Dr. G. Rajeswari, Scientist in Charge of the Centre explained about the TSP and other activities under taken by ICAR-CIFT for the development of freshwater fisheries sector both in harvest and post harvest aspects. She said that fishing gears such as foldable fish traps, gill nets and crafts viz., FRP coracles, canoes and boats are specially designed at ICAR-CIFT to cater the needs of traditional fishers residing in rural areas. Dr. Rajeswari has given special audience to women fishers to assess their needs and aspirations. In his address Dr. M.M. Prasad, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer NEH TSP programmes said that ICAR-CIFT is keen on sustainable development of fisheries in hinterlands especially post harvest sector in the form of hygienic handling of fish and value addition to the same by scientific methods so as to produce good quality product with longer shelf life, safe for human consumption sans any type of physical, chemical and biological hazards. He said harnessing solar energy in the form of solar drier is best suited for hinterland areas for dry curing of fish. A message was also conveyed to fishers that Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, Director of ICAR-CIFT desires fishers come forward to reap the benefits all the efforts of ICAR-CIFT that are being provided in the form of outreach programmes, workshops, ToT, TSP etc. A demonstration was given on hygienic handling of post harvest fish and dry curing of the same with ICAR-CIFT solar drier. At the end Dr. Rajeswari formally handed over the keys of solar drier to the beneficiaries. Kodikallavalasa though a remote place, print media evinced keen interest in the development programs taken up by ICAR-CIFT and followed through the programme. Ten reporters representing different news papers covered the event. Dr. Rajeswari briefed the press on design and fabrication of different eco-friendly fishing gears for sustainable development of reservoir fisheries. Dr. Prasad told the print media that the ICAR-CIFT designed solar drier that is given on gratis to tribal fishers at Kodikallavalasa is first of its kind in the country and other two were given in Maharashtra and Gujarat.