The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderababd, has come forward to help women from different social background in Krishna district to come up with several value-added fish products. As a part of the move, the NFDB, in collaboration with the agricultural scientists of the Krishi Vignana Kendra, Ghantasala, has organised a basic training session recently for 250 beneficiaries on the preparation of various value added fish products.
At the programme, the participants learnt how to prepare fish pickles, prawn pickles, prawn biryani, prawn pakoda, fish cutlets and etc. All these products can be preserved for some days and have a huge demand in cities.
The experts and the NFDB authorities have realized the potential and market for the value-added fish products in Krishna district owing to its flourishing marine operations and extensive brackish water aquaculture practices.
“We are encouraging women to form groups to run retail outlets or create their own brand of the value-added fish products. The NFDB will provide the financial and technical assistance to the beneficiaries,” Krishna Vignana Kendra Scientist (Fisheries) J. Yaswanth Kumar told The Hindu .
The scientists explained to the women that the fish that can’t be exported is very useful for making value added products. Moreover, the value and cost of the products vary from marine to sweet water and brackish water fish.
Apart from fisherfolk women, even women belonging to SC and ST categories are also being advised to choose the mode of business for which financial support would be extended as per the SC & ST Sub-plan guidelines.