RAHA, Oct 13 � Fish drying is a major activity in the rural areas of Assam, carried out mainly by small-scale fishermen. However, most of them process dried fish under poor hygienic conditions. The product not only lacks quality but also fetches low market price. Moreover, unprotected handling while drying affects the health of fishermen which is a matter of concern. Recognizing the need for technological intervention and skills amongst small-scale fishermen, a daylong workshop was held at Hariamukh village of Raha on Thursday.
The programme was organised by �Kolongporiya Matsyajibi Xukanmas Prostutkoron Guth� a self-help group of Hariamukh village of Raha and sponsored by the National Fishery Development Board (NFDB), based in Hyderabad, in collaboration with College of Fisheries, Raha.
The workshop was attended by Monuj Kumar Sakaria, Raha Circle Officer. The key delegates present for the training session were Dr Kishore Kumar Barua, Dean of College of Fisheries, Ayub Ali, Fishery Officer and AK Foraji, Fishery field officer. Around 100 fishermen of the village took part in the workshop.
Later, at the end of the workshop, Kolongporiya Matsyajibi Xukanmas Prostutkoron Got� president Dulal Das, secretary Dwipen Das and joint secretary Durlobh Mudoi told this Correspondent that they are satisfied with the hands-on training programme on hygienic fish drying and have come to know many unknown things about fish drying. The participants also opined that they are happy to know a lot about hygienic production of dry fish, its packaging and marketing during the workshop.
