Executive Summary

Production of various processed fish products in the North Eastern Region (NER) of India was 0.0134 million tonnes accounting for 0.97% of country’s total of 1.38 million tonnes during the year 2017-18. While most of the processed fish products are exported from the country, there is no record of any export of fish products from NER States so far. Large number of tribes and communities inhabiting in the NER have developed different ethnic food products over generations which are unique to this area. The traditional processed fish products in different forms are mainly dry fish, fermented fish and smoked fish of different texture under different names in the region. More than a dozen such products are prepared of which three are of high demand and have mass acceptability. These are Shidal, a fermented product prepared in earthen “mutkas”; Chucha/Naamsing, a dried and powdered product stored in bamboo cylinders and the third one being sun-dried fish locally called Sutki.

Fish processing activities in NER are restricted mainly to primary processing. Limited activities are there in secondary sector. There are no tertiary activities at present. Proper post-harvest handling, reduction of losses and hygienic processing are important factors to realize the full potential of the production of fish products and supply chain. Modern practices of processing like ‘Closed-Loop Heat Pump’ drying; Cryogenic freezing; Freeze-Drying; Vacuum packaging; Technology oriented smoking and drying techniques and modern fermentation processe sunder perfect hygienic conditions are yet to be introduced in the North Eastern Region. Though all such processing technologies are technically feasible at medium &large scale operations, which would need considerable volumes of fish as raw materials on sustainable basis, but a few potential farmers are there in some regions of NER the region and especially in Assam who are in a position to diversify their activities provided adequate supports are provided. Absence of cold chain is another hindrance in proper transportation of fish and fish products in the NE region.

There is felt need for development of Package of Practices (PoP) for hygienic and commercial production of processed products for easy adoption by communities. The producers are following traditional production processes for generations. There is no food safety assurance of the commodities. Moreover, the present productions are restricted to household levels only. The products are presently marketed at retail shops in loose packets. Scientific and up-dated packaging is required for capturing modern supply chain. There is also need to find out medicinal values of the products as commonly believed in the region. To cope up with the recent market trend to sell fish in live condition, there is need to find out suitable chemicals and develop mechanical device to keep fish alive while transporting in water tanks from production centres to markets. Adhering to HACCP guidelines is very much required now to maintain food safety in fish processing sector in the state.

A targeted Road map is suggested for development of fish processing sector in the NERin accordance with the action plan proposed as under:
 

1. Short Term (0-1 yr)plan for:
   1. To conduct a detailed survey for the purpose of developing an inventory of the existing processors, operating as individuals or as community, their existing practices on production and marketing, and
   2. Development of improved mechanism for transportation of fish in live condition.


2. Medium term (0-3 yr)plan for:
   1. To develop improved packaging systems
   2. To identify, shortlist and capacity building of potential entrepreneurs able to take up modern processing activities
   3. To set up HACCP and quarantine centres at strategic location, and
   4. To develop marketing channels linking modern supply chain, and
   5. To study of potential markets for the identified commodities in the country and abroad and especially in South East Asian countries


3. Long Term (0-5 yr)plan for:
   1. To develop and improve Package of Practices,
   2. To take up research on human nutrition of the products and its medicinal effect,
   3. To transfer technology to processors and provide national and international exposure visit,
   4. To take up modern processing activities of national and international standards by selected/identified and trained entrepreneurs with financial supports, and
   5. Marketing of the commodities through modern supply chain.

The report is based on the limited primary research conducted for collection of the information pertaining to the potential existing processing units operating as individual entrepreneurs as well as community based processing units, as per pre-designed questionnaire format. The data collected provided the factual basis to support the findings of the ‘Techno-economic Feasibility Study’, aimed to provide the realistic leads for setting up the Fish Processing units in MSME sector at the suitable places NERwith the adoption of appropriate technologies. The Reporthas come out with the recommendation three proposals for implementation to start with, one from Assam, to provide appropriate technology incubation to a community based activityoftribal womenfolk operating fish based FBO at Majuli river island; and to two individual entrepreneurs one each from Manipur and Tripura.

Through the findings of this report, It is concluded that, given the required technical and financial support to the rural educated youth, the NER can be a developed as a hub for commercial production, processing and marketing of much liked traditional & ethnic fish products, which are able to capture the domestic as well as the export markets of South East Asian countries in particular.
 

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