Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 10: The push to convert locally available fishery resources into higher-value food products is emerging as a potential livelihood avenue in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with five participants of a three-day training programme expressing interest in setting up their own seafood value-addition units.
The programme, which concluded at the Fish Landing Centre in Panighat, trained 25 participants in the preparation and processing of 10 different value-added seafood products. The initiative sought to build practical skills that could enable participants to explore small-scale seafood processing as an additional source of livelihood.
Organised by the Department of Fisheries, A&N Administration, under the Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) component of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the programme was conducted in technical collaboration with the National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT), Cochin.
Participants received hands-on training in preparing breaded and battered seafood products, fish pickles, fried fish products and different varieties of fish-based curries. The programme also covered processing techniques, hygienic handling, quality assurance, preservation and appropriate post-harvest practices.
The practical focus of the programme gave participants direct exposure to methods of processing and adding value to seafood rather than limiting the training to technical sessions. Dr Nithin C. T. and Bineesh K. Mukundan, Processing-cum-Quality Assurance Supervisors at NIFPHATT, Cochin, conducted the technical sessions and demonstrations.
The entrepreneurship response was among the key outcomes of the programme. Five participants said they were interested in establishing their own seafood value-addition units, while participants said the practical knowledge and skills gained during the training had increased their confidence to explore seafood-processing opportunities.
The training also enabled participants to learn different ways of developing products from locally available fishery resources, while introducing small-scale processing as an additional livelihood option.
Certificates were distributed to all 25 participants by Rasheeda Bibi, Pradhan, Hope Town, and B Laxminarayan, Panchayat Samiti Member, Hope Town, upon completion of the programme.
Participants expressed appreciation to the Department of Fisheries, A&N Administration and NIFPHATT, Cochin, for conducting the specialised hands-on training.
