CIFT Technologies Reaching the Masses During Unlock Period

ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology has developed various technologies for hygienic fish vending and faster production of clean dry fish using renewable energy sources. The efforts of CIFT to popularize, transfer and commercialize appropriate technologies to the fish vendors and mirco/small/medium entrepreneurs have started bearing more fruits as 7 new business ventures have been launched in the unlock period.

The refrigerated fish vending kiosk developed by CIFT is an innovative step towards improving the unhygienic handling and marketing practices of fish by street vendors. The special feature of the kiosk is its fish storage cum display facility and a well-insulated refrigeration system. In this unit, a consumer can see the fishes directly through transparent cover and select according to their choice of purchase. Under ideal operating conditions, the unit can extend the shelf life of fish for 4 to 5 days and increases marginal benefit to fish vendors. Provisions for fish de-scaling, cutting, cleaning, waste collection, keeping space for ice-box etc have also been included in the Kiosk unit. This kiosk is found to be favorable and affordable to small scale and retail fish vendors for investment. A MoA was signed between Director, ICAR-CIFT, Cochin and Executive Director, Society for Assistance to Fisherwomen (SAF), Dept. of Fisheries, Govt. of Kerala for providing 20 units of refrigerated fish vending kiosk to fisherwomen SHG groups under SAF. In connection with this, five units of refrigerated fish vending kiosk were launched at Vaddokara (Thrissur), Kavanattinkara (Kottayam), Kumarakom (Kottayam)  Illikkal fish market, Kumbalangi (Ernakulam) and Kandakkadavu fish market, Chellanam (Ernakulam) in the month of June 2020. Apart from these, a refrigerated fish vending unit, namely Emma Fresh Fishes was launched at Keltron Ferry, Kumbalanghi, Kochi in the second week of June. Furthermore, CIFT has entered on MoU with three other firms viz., Torry Harris, Alappuzha, Fauna Fish, Kochi and D’s Family Mart, Aroor for customized fresh fish vending units.

Refrigerated fish vending kiosks inaugurated at various places

CIFT has developed and commercialized various solar hybrid fish dryers for scientific production of dry fish. Many incubatees have registered in CIFT-ABI and producing dry fish using the drying and pilot plant facilities. CIFT designed Solar hybrid dryers of various capacities and types  have been installed at various places in the Country through CIFT empanelled agencies coordinated by CIFT-ABI. Ocean Harbour Dry fish centre, Unichira, Ernakulam inaugurated on 2 July 2020 is the latest in that league.

Inauguration of New Dry Fish Unit  

for more photos : CIFT Technologies