Dr. C.N. Ravishankar inaugurating the program.  
On the dais are: Fr. Nixy,  Shri Joice V. Thomas and Dr. Manoj P. Samuel

As part of the Institute research project on ‘Quality improvement of Indian fishing fleet and engineering interventions in post harvest sector’, a two days Training program on “Improved Fish Dryers” was jointly organized by ICAR- CIFT, Kochi, NETFISH, MPEDA and ADC&SW Society, Alappuzha for the benefit of fisherwomen during 8-9 December, 2016 at ICAR-CIFT, Kochi. A total of 25 fisherwomen belonging to ADC&SW Society, Alappuzha attended the training program. Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, Director, ICAR-CIFT inaugurated the program.  Dr. Manoj P. Samuel, HOD, Engineering welcomed the gathering and Shri Joice V. Thomas, CEO, NETFISH, MPEDA and Fr. Nixy, Joint-Director, ADC&SW Society, Alappuzha offered felicitations.  Dr. S. Ashaletha, Principal Scientist proposed vote of thanks. 

Technical session on “Improved fish drying methods” was handled by Dr. Manoj P. Samuel. A talk on “Women-led enterprises: The problems and prospects in fisheries” was delivered by Dr. S. Ashaletha. Dr. A.A. Zynudheen, Principal Scientist handled the theoretical aspects of “Fish handling and pre-processing operations” while Smt. V.A. Minimol, Scientist handled the practical session on the same theme. Practical session on the solar fish drying technique using ICAR-CIFT Solar dryers was conducted by Dr. S. Murali, Scientist. Dr. C.O. Mohan, Scientist handled the class on “Packaging of dried fish”. A class on Business model for the dry fish production in fisherwomen cluster was handled by Ms. Elizabeth, Business Manager of Agri Business Incubation Centre, ICAR-CIFT. The participants also visited various labs, pilot plant and ABI in ICAR-CIFT. Dr. A.K. Mohanthy, HOD, EIS was the Chief Guest during the concluding session. 

The fisherwomen brought their own fresh fishes and they could take back packaged dried fish by participating in the practical sessions of the training program.

Dr. Manoj P. Samuel, Dr. A.K. Mohanty and Dr. S. Ashaletha leading the technical session

Practical session in progress