Pilot plant inaugurated for value added fish product preparation

GUWAHATI: A pilot scale plant for value added fish products has been formally inaugurated at Dean's conference hall of Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Assam Agricultural University on Friday by Dr Gopal Krishna, internationally renowned scientist, director cum vice chancellor, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai.

This facility has been established at Guijan, Tinsukia by ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai under the financial scheme for North East Hilly region (NEH-Sub-Plan) in collaboration with Directorate of Extension Education, Assam Agricultural University and JEEVA SURAKSHA, Sivasgar, Assam.

The facility established at this place includes all the basic equipment necessary for preparation of value-added fish products and have a capacity to produce about 200 kg of fish products daily. This facility can be utilized by the locals for processing and preservation of their fish produce in the form of different ready to eat convenience and nutritionally enriched value-added fish products which will help in enhancing their income and improving their social status as well, Dr Ranjita Bania from the local organization, Jeeva Suraksha & coordinating officer informed the press and thanked the special efforts taken by the Principal Scientist and Head of Department of Post harvest Management and processing , Dr BB Nayak, Dr Amjad Balange, Principal Scientist and Avinash Sable, Senior Technical Officer with the support and guidance of Dr Gopal Krishna, Director and Vice Chancellor of ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai.

The programme was organized to highlight the need of value added fish products and inform the common people about the facility which can be used for empowerment of the community especially the women folk of lower strata.

Inaugurating the pilot plant, first of its kind in entire north East on Friday, the chief guest, internationally renowned scientist, Dr Gopal Krishna has emphasised on the need of this facility for quality product development by the rural poor for entrepreneurship development. Value added fish products have very much potentiality in Assam, he added.

Dr BB Nayak, Principal Scientist of ICAR-CIFE has informed that they have taken Northeast on priority basis and choose Assam for the establishment of this plant. Principal Scientist and coordinator of NEH programme from ICAR CIFE have showed some of the activities and facilities developed in the centre at Guijan, Tinsukia. Dr Atul Borgohain, Associate director of extension Education and local guardian of the project informed the house that this kind of initiative will encourage the entrepreneurs to take up such project which ultimately boost economy of the entire state.

Addressing the gathering, invited guest, Managing Director of FISHFED, Dr. Dhrubajyoti Sharma said that today is a golden day for Assam when such kind of big facility has been inaugurated. Of late, the demand and popularity of value added fish products has increased recently. The products imported basically from Myanmar till date were not standard as far as quality is concerned which opens the arena for the local entrepreneurs in this field. Chairing the programme Dr. Bibeka Nand Saikia appealed the house to explore the indigenous technical knowledge and reduce the cost of production while maintaining the quality of product, stated a press release.

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