Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 12: Seafood value-addition training aimed at strengthening post-harvest handling skills among fisherwomen and other fisheries-sector beneficiaries began in Diglipur on September 11, with 25 participants attending the three-day programme.
The training, organised by the Department of Fisheries, A&N Administration, in collaboration with the National Institute of Fisheries Post-Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT), Kochi, is being held at the Extension Office of the Industries Department, Diglipur, from September 11 to 13 under the Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Village (CRCFV) initiative of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
The programme focuses on building practical skills in seafood preparation, processing, preservation, quality assurance and marketing of value-added products. The training seeks to strengthen beneficiaries’ ability to convert seafood into value-added products while addressing post-harvest challenges.
The initiative also responds to a long-pending demand from fisherwomen in the area for specialised training in seafood value addition and product development. The programme is intended to support livelihood diversification and promote small-scale seafood-based enterprises among coastal communities.
Value addition can help reduce post-harvest losses, extend shelf life and improve product quality while increasing the market value of seafood. The training also seeks to create avenues for additional income, self-employment and entrepreneurship through improved processing and product development skills.
NIFPHATT, Kochi, which specialises in fisheries post-harvest technology, seafood processing, value addition and capacity building, is providing technical expertise for the programme. Two of its Processing-cum-Quality Assurance Supervisors, Dr Nitin C.T. and Bineesh K. Mukundan, are conducting the technical sessions.
The inaugural session was attended by Assistant Commissioner, Diglipur, Santosh Prakash, as chief guest, while Deputy Director of Fisheries, North & Middle Andaman, Tapan Kumar Biswas, attended as guest of honour.
The training is focused on providing participants with technical knowledge and practical skills that can be applied to seafood processing and value addition at the community level.
