Community fish smoking kilns
Smoke curing of fish is a traditional practice in Orissa and North-eastern states of India.
The Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) has made significant efforts in developing Community Fish Smoking Kilns (CoFiSKis).
According to Dr.M.K. Mukundan, Director, CIFT and his team, the development of community fish smoking kiln facilitated the production of smoke cured fish of high quality, longer shelf life, better nutrition and price realization.
Economically viable
The community fish smoking kiln addressed the need for an economically viable solution for smoke curing based on community approach, for fisherfolk residing in remote villages.
The target groups were economically under-privileged fisherwomen. The technology development process pertaining to the community fish smoking kilns took place in four phases.
Actively involved
During phase I, a survey was undertaken in Orissa, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur and villages that are actively involved in smoke curing of freshwater fishes.
In these villages socio-economic conditions and the needs for technology development were assessed. During phase II, different models of community fish smoking kilns popularly known as CoFiSKi were designed and developed based on regional requirements.
During phase III, they were fabricated and installed at remote fishing hamlets which were adopted by CIFT for technology transfer.
This was followed by training cum demonstration programs on hygienic preparation of smoke-cured fish targeted at fishers self help groups.
The installation extended from remote fishing villages of Orissa to Eastern and North-eastern states. During phase IV, improvements in design and fabrication were effected based on feedback from the end-users, in terms of process requirements for the smoke cured fish and ergonomics of the kiln design.
Training
So far 37 community fish smoking kilns have been installed successfully in the country that includ two in Assam, six in Arunachal Pradesh, 11 in Orissa and one in West Bengal.
Each installation is followed by training cum demonstration.
For more details readers can contact Dr. M.K. Mukundan, Director, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Matsyapuri P.O., Kochi: 682029, email: mkmukundan@gmail.com and mukundan@ciftmail.org, phone: 0484-2666880.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Sci Tech
