Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 26 September 2023
A three-day training programme on ‘Fish Value Addition’ has commenced in Dollygunj, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, organized by the Department of Fisheries in collaboration with Dr. B R Ambedkar Institute of Technology (DBRAIT). The inauguration of this skill development initiative took place on September 25, 2023, at the AV Hall, DBRAIT, Dollygunj, and was presided over by Mr. Balwan Singh Jaglan, IAS, Secretary (Fisheries). The training programme has been orchestrated under the Skill Development scheme of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with financial backing from the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad.
In his inaugural address, Secretary (Fisheries), Mr. Balwan Singh Jaglan, emphasised the significance of enhancing the value of fresh fish catches by implementing advanced preservation techniques. He elucidated the additional economic benefits that could be derived from the agricultural and allied sectors and underscored the importance of maintaining hygiene and quality standards for fish in the domestic market, which ultimately leads to greater consumer acceptance. Mr. Jaglan also urged participants to explore the tourism potential of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by branding their seafood products and trading through various government and private platforms to secure better prices.
Mr. Vikram Singh, Director of Fisheries, encouraged trainees to make the most of the training and utilize subsidy assistance offered under PMMSY to establish fish value addition facilities. The Department of Fisheries provides a 60% subsidy for women applicants and 40% for the general category to set up value addition facilities with a unit cost of up to Rs. 50.00 Lakh. Additionally, they can avail loans for covering recurring expenses under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) from nationalised banks.
Dr. Utpal Sharma, Principal of DBRAIT, expressed his satisfaction at collaborating with the Department of Fisheries and pledged full support from the Hotel Management Department of DBRAIT to provide further advanced training for interested beneficiaries. He urged the Department to create avenues for Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to market their products, thus generating income by selling various items to visiting tourists. Mr. S.U Maheswar Rao, Governing Body Member of NFDB, provided insights into the various activities under PMMSY and NFDB’s role in providing financial assistance for a range of activities, including skill development training.
The inaugural session also saw the release of a training manual on ‘Fish Value Addition’ in Hindi by Secretary (Fisheries) and other dignitaries. The three-day training programme aims to offer theoretical and hands-on training on various aspects of fish value addition, covering hygienic handling of fish and fishery products, fish preservation techniques, fish dry salting/smoking, pickling, development of minced products, coated fish products, and more. A total of 25 selected women beneficiaries representing SHGs, Tribal Communities, and unemployed youth from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are participating in the programme.
Dr. K. Gopal, Joint Director (Fisheries), extended a warm welcome to the gathering, and the inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Abdul Salam, Assistant Director of Fisheries (Extension and Training).