In a huge boost to the dry fish enterprises of fisher women in the seaside pockets, the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) has introduced hybrid solar dryers for hygienic preparation and preservation of dry fish.
The solar dryers would be provided to about 115 SHGs across Ganjam, Puri and Kendrapara districts in the pilot phase. The objective is to not only ensure livelihood generation during the lean period from April 15 to May 31 when fishing is banned under Odisha Marine Fisheries Regulation (OMFRA) Act but also promote alternative income generation activities particularly among women.
The ICZMP, besides providing the dryers, will also develop the required infrastructure like fish drying platform and storage rooms. The major fishing belts from Gopalpur to Chilika and Paradip to Dhamra will be covered under the project.
“Around `8 crore would be invested in the World Bank-aided initiative to directly benefit more than 8400 fishermen and women in the State. The community would not only be able to generate more dry fish in less time but also maintain the quality standards that has been a major drawback of the local produce,” Project Director, ICZMP Dr Ajit Kumar Patnaik said.
Dry fish, locally known as Sukhua, is prepared by the women of the fishing community. They use the oldest method of laying out the fish on the beach or on sands and leaving them to dry in sun for days together. Notwithstanding the time-taking process, this method also exposes the fish to impurities and infestations.
As a result, they are not acceptable in the international as well as major markets of the country despite high demand of the product. The product not only lacks quality but also fetches low prices. Moreover, unprotected handling also raises health issues for the women.
The solar dryers supplied to the producers can dry 100 kg of fish within eight hours with minimal physical involvement. With the output being 25-30 kg dry fish per day, the fisher groups can generate a minimum profit of `35,000 per month.
The ICZM has also planned to facilitate market linkage to the dry fish producers. Packaging of value added dry fish, branding and market promotion would be next stage of the programme.
INITIATIVE
* The solar dryers would be provided to about 115 SHGs across Ganjam, Puri and Kendrapara districts in the pilot phase
* The ICZMP, besides providing the dryers, will also develop the required infrastructure like fish drying platform and storage rooms