Shillong, Feb 20: In a step towards strengthening rural livelihoods in the North East, the Division of Animal and Fisheries Sciences (DAFS) at the ICAR Research Complex for North East Hill Region, Umiam, concluded a five-day training programme on value-added products.
Organised under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) initiative for developing an Aqua-Village in Meghalaya, the February 16-20 programme for 15 participants – 13 women and two men – aimed to develop secondary livelihoods for women and unemployed youth through value-added fish products.
The participants represented three self-help groups (SHGs) and the programme was held at Mawdwar village for the first two days, followed by three days of hands-on sessions at the Fisheries Research Farm, ICAR Umiam.
The training combined theoretical lectures with extensive practical sessions, covering a range of marketable fish products including fish pickle, prawn pickle, fish cutlet, fish chutney powder, fish fingers and fish drying techniques.
Participants were also trained in packing, economic appraisal and marketing strategies to help them transform their skills into sustainable enterprises. Fish processing kits were distributed free of cost to all participants, along with certificates of completion.
