Hygienic dry fish production technology

The two-day hands-on training program on ‘Hygienic Dry Fish Production Technology’ was inaugurated on 11th March 2025 at the Engineering Section, ICAR-CIFT, under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP). The training focused on fish handling, pre-processing, drying, machinery operations, packaging of dried fish, entrepreneurship opportunities, and Government schemes for entrepreneurs. This specialized training was conducted for specially-abled hearing and speech-impaired SC community participants from Wayanad and Kannur Districts of Kerala. As part of the program, participants were provided with a hybrid solar dryer and hands-on training in hygienic dry fish production technology. Dr. George Ninan, Director, ICAR-CIFT, inaugurated the training program, while K.V. Jeyachandran, Honorary Professor, Kerala University, Thiruvananthapuram, highlighted the efforts of the Rehabilitation Platform for Differently Abled (RPD), Kerala, in promoting livelihood opportunities for specially-abled individuals in the state. Dr. Suresh A, Principal Scientist, EIS Division & Nodal Officer (SCSP), provided insights into SCSP initiatives at ICAR-CIFT, Cochin. A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was exchanged between ICAR-CIFT, Cochin, and the Rehabilitation Platform for Differently Abled (RPD), Wayanad and Kannur, for technical know-how on dry fish processing and the establishment of a 20 kg capacity solar-electrical hybrid dryer. This initiative aims to empower the participants by equipping them with sustainable dry fish processing technologies, fostering entrepreneurship, and ensuring economic upliftment through Government-supported schemes.