Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 7: A three-days training programme on ‘Value Added Product Development from Seafood’ under the Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) of PMMSY was inaugurated today at the Fish Landing Centre (FLC), Panighat, by the Department of Fisheries, A&N Administration, in technical collaboration with the National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT), Cochin.
The CRCFV programme, initiated by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, aims to strengthen livelihood security and climate resilience of coastal fishing communities through skill development, diversified livelihood activities, sustainable fisheries practices and post-harvest management, with special emphasis on enhancing livelihood opportunities through value addition.
In the A&N Islands, Hope Town and Junglighat in South Andaman District and Durgapur in North & Middle Andaman District have been identified for implementation of CRCFV activities. As part of these initiatives, the present training programme is being conducted from 7th to 9th September, 2026 at Hope Town village, South Andaman and from 11th to 13th September, 2026 at Durgapur, Diglipur to impart technical and practical skills in seafood processing and value addition. Such initiatives are intended to promote better utilization of fishery resources, reduce post-harvest losses and create additional income-generation opportunities for fishing communities, particularly through small-scale value addition and entrepreneurship.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. K. Gopal, Joint Director (Fisheries), in the presence of Ms. V. K. Mariyam Bibi, Zilla Parishad Member, Hope Town, Smt. Rasheeda Bibi, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat, Hope Town and Shri B. Laxmi Narayan, Panchayat Samiti Member, Hope Town, as guests. The programme was coordinated by Shri Mohammed Farooque, In-Charge, Fish Landing Centre, Panighat, along with Sagar Mitras. During the inaugural session, Joint Director (Fisheries), emphasized the importance of making effective use of the specialized training being imparted by NIFPHATT, Cochin, a premier institute in the field of fisheries post-harvest technology and value addition.
Dr. Nithin C. T., Processing-cum-Quality Assurance Supervisor, and Shri Bineesh K. Mukundan, Processing-cum-Quality Assurance Supervisor, NIFPHATT, Cochin is leading the three days programme by providing technical sessions on detailed guidance on various aspects of value-added seafood product development, including processing techniques, product preparation, hygienic handling, quality assurance and other relevant post-harvest practices.
During the programme, various value-added seafood products, including fish pickles, fish wafers, smoked fish, canned fish and ready-to-cook Tilapia curry etc. branded by NIFPHATT, Cochin were also displayed and demonstrated. The training programme will further provide practical exposure to the participants in the preparation and development of at least 10 different value-added seafood products, including breaded and battered products, pickles, fried products and different types of fish-based curries.
On the first day, training manuals were distributed to all 25 participants to facilitate their learning and support the practical application of the knowledge and techniques imparted during the training.
The PRI members appreciated the efforts of the Department of Fisheries in bringing technical experts from the mainland to provide specialized and hands-on training to the local fishing community.