Indian Farming 71(09): 14–17; September 2021

Boosting fish processing industry

in India
Elavarasan K1, George Ninan2 and Ravishankar C N3*
ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Willingdon Island, Cochin, Kerala 682 029

Fish processing industry in India plays a vital role in the national economy and need to be boosted
through strengthening various links between production and utilization. Increasing fish
production, value addition, waste utilization, minimization of post-harvest loss, infrastructure
establishments, and attitude changing are some of the key areas to be addressed for better fisheries
resource utilization, enhancement of national food and nutritional security, assured livelihood of
millions of population and overall socio-economic status.

Keywords: Fish processing, Fish production, Infrastructure establishments, Post-harvest loss, Value addition,
Waste utilization

I NDIA has a huge number of

inland water bodies including
rivers, lakes, ponds, and tank. The
security of the nation.
Fishing is a major economic
activity undertaken by India in the
India is the fresh form. The frozen
and canning form of fish/shellfish
disposition is mainly from seafood
east, west, and south of India is seas around it. About 2.5 lakh vessels export industries.
surrounded by the Bay of Bengal, the of various kinds are deployed on Fish distribution channel moves
Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean, fishing activities, employing nearly through the fisherman/farmer,
respectively with a vast coastal length 15 million people directly or auctioneer/middle man, whole sale
of 8,118 km which spans across nine indirectly. In addition to providing dealer / retailers and processor/
maritime States and five Union staple food to millions across the consumer. There are various players
territories including Andaman and country, it also earns foreign at each level. The cold chain is strictly
Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. exchange close to $6 billion (Water followed and implemented
The exclusive economic zone (an area quality index). During the year 2019- throughout the supply channel when
of the sea in which a sovereign state 2020, India has reported the fish it is processed to international
has special rights) and continental production of 14.16 million metric market. Lesser attention is paid on
shelf area (part of the continental tonnes (marine-3.72 MMT; inland- cold chain when the fish is supplied
margin which is between the 10.43 MMT) and fisheries sector has to local consumers. With this
shoreline and the shelf break) of India contributed ` 212,915 crore to the background, the list of strategies
is 2.02 million sq. km and 0.53 Indian economy for the year 2018- suggested to boost the fish processing
million sq. km, respectively. With this 2019. The value of fisheries export industry of India is presented in
resource availability, there is a lot of has reached ` 46,662.85 crore from Table 2.
activities related to exploiting aquatic the export quantity of 1,289,651
life are being encouraged to ensure tonnes. Data (Table 1) showed that Domestic fish marketing is the key
the food, nutrition and livelihood still the major disposition of fish in Domestic fish marketing plays an

Table 1. Major form of fish disposition

Year Major form of disposition (%)

Marketing fresh Frozen Canning Reduction Miscellaneous Offal for reduction Unspecified Others
2015-16 79.90 7.48 4.17 0.84 0 1.71 0.35 0.32
2016-17 78.99 6.48 3.75 0.70 0 1.68 0.40 3.37
2017-18 78.03 8.44 3.48 0.43 0 2.27 0.45 2.87
2018-19 75.72 9.54 6.50 1.04 2.32 0 0.05 1.45
2019-20 75.07 13.80 4.26 0.29 2.49 0.06 0.04 1.18

14
Indian Farming
September 2021
Table 2. Strategies to boost fish processing industry of India Strengthening the basic requirements
S.No. Strategies Development projects should be
designed to address the following
1. Increasing the raw material availability and maximizing the utilization
2. Introducing schemes by government through planning
underlying issues to address the fish
3. Practising the value addition post-harvest improvement activities:
4. Strengthening the basic requirements (potable water, sanitation, electricity, good • strengthening the infrastructure,
road and transportation facilities) • ensuring the sanitation in coastal
5. Enhancing the safety and quality of fish products regions (avoiding open defecation
6. Fish waste utilization and value addition and implementing proper
7. Scaling up the production
treatment of human excreta and
8. Strengthening the domestic market
9. Improving the seafood export
sewage before discharging),
10. Introducing newer technologies • providing clean potable water,
11. Strengthening the post-harvest infrastructure (landing centre, fishing harbours, cold • creating awareness among the
storage warehouse, fish market, ice plants etc) coastal communities to improve
12. Market chain enhancement and modernization their own sanitation levels,
13. Harnessing the role of women in fish processing sector • reducing the risks from
14. Capacity building
contaminated water and
15. Strengthening the network between various organizations/institutions
16. Strengthening the rules and regulations
systematic monitoring
17. Creating awareness and attitude changing programme on the quality of
18. Enhancing the role of service providers water available for coastal
19. Integrating with other sectors communities, and
Source: Ward A and Beyens Y. 2015. Fish handling, quality and processing: training and • monitoring coastal water quality
community trainers manual. Smartfish Working Papers. 001. Port Louis, Mauritius: and developing the solutions.
Commision del’Ocean Indien
Enhancing the safety and quality of fish
important role in sustenance of participation of private sector, and products
Indian fish processing industry due (iii) networking between the Enhancing safety of fish and fish
to the fact that the major fraction of institutions like CIFT, MPEDA, products will create a positive
fish produced (around 80%) is skill development organizations, demand and supply chain which is
consumed within the country and NGOs to dissipate the needed for boosting the fish
only around 15% of fish produced technologies developed in the fish processing sector. This is only
utilized for export market. In the processing sector and to identify possible by taking certain measures
past, there is a huge competition in and address the technological from the moment the fish is taken
the international market from South- gaps. out of water. The harvesting
East Asian countries and also trade techniques also play a major role in
restrictions are becoming more and Value addition in fish processing for determining the length of shelf life.
more over the days. Under this better value realisation For example, transferring the harvest
circumference, strengthening the Value addition is one of the from the culture pond to an ice-slurry
domestic market system is an important fish processing activities, tank would extend the post-mortem
important strategy for ensuring the which boosts the industries growth as period and hence it delays the quality
sustainability of Indian fish it brings high value to the raw deterioration. Development projects/
processing industry. In the present material. The value addition can be strategies should focus on
day, domestic consumers are willing achieved by simple interventions like introducing simple and user friendly
to pay better price for the good producing different forms of techniques and technologies which
quality fish and variety of fish products (dressed, steak, fillet, are practical, achievable and low-cost
products. India is foreseeing the marinated, convenient products as well as have the potential to result
doubled fish production by 2025. (ready to cook, ready to eat etc). in hygiene improvements in the
Post-harvest loss in the fisheries Products diversification and short-term. At all the levels of fish/
sector accounts about 20-24% which packaging interventions (retail shellfish supply, cold chain and
remains an issue to be addressed at packaging, boil-in pack etc.) can hygienic practices are key elements in
the country level. Hence, there is a improve the value. ICAR-Central ensuring safety of fish and fish
need to strengthen the link between Institute of Fisheries Technology products.
production and utilization. conducting periodic training on value
Government schemes inherently addition of fish and fishery products. Strategies for enhancing safety of fish
should have some strategies to Producing high value products like and fish products
address- collagen peptide, gelatin, pigments, • Training on sanitation and
(i) timely implementation, bioactive peptides, chito- hygienic practices
(ii) strengthening the administration oligosaccharides from fish and shell • Training on basic chilling
from higher level to down the line fish waste another important area of techniques
till reaching the beneficiary, active value addition. • Creating consumer awareness on

15
Indian Farming
September 2021
 illness upon consuming the poor • Repairing the floor wherever a marketing division with officials
quality fish possible having expertise in various
• Creating consumer awareness on • Conducting participatory marketing strategies and
nutritional benefits of consuming consultation programme for fish providing marketing information.
better quality fish traders, fishers, boat owners, and • Database should be made
• Providing ice machines the local government available on potential buyers with
• Providing insulation/cool boxes • Appointing coordinators from reference to various fish and fish
• Water quality monitoring amongst the fishers and vendors products.
• Establishing ice plants to better manage the landing • Conducting trade fairs and
• Providing gloves, boots or sorting centres/market places encouraging participation can
tables • Installation of better lighting and create exposure to products/
• Providing scientifically designed the provision of garbage bins producers/potential customers.
fresh fish selling kiosks • Providing adequate potable water • Simple database about fishers with
• Awareness to change the attitude and ice, auction platforms, catch their contact details including
towards producing and buying sorting and weighing platforms, telephone numbers can connect
fish and effluent treatment systems them to prospective buyers.
• Demonstrating the economics of • Automation/ mechanization of • Encouraging to building brand
selling good quality fish. activities can be introduced, like identity for products at local/
transferring the fish from fish hold district/state/national/
Strengthening the post-harvest to the onward transportation international.
infrastructure vehicle etc. • Developing marketing channels
For boosting the fish processing • A centralized facility for providing through social network/social
sector of India, a due focus should be potable water, good quality ice media/ women’s collaborative
given in establishing the well- and fuel pumps with necessary groups or other NGOs.
equipped infrastructures like landing automation, should be provided in • Introducing government work
centres, fishing harbours, processing all landing centres/ harbours so plans to strengthen the marketing-
parks, refrigerated vehicles, cold that the activities can be efficiently related activities.
storage ware houses and fish markets. managed. • Regularizing the auctioning
In India, as on 2019-2020, there are • Dedicated manpower for system prevails in fish marketing
1,548 landing centres, 7 major inspection and enforcement of chain.
fishing harbours and 62 minor hygiene and sanitation must be in • The transportation and storage of
fishing harbours. Landing centres place. fishes need to be facilitated by
and fish markets play a key role in • A suitable e-auction facility can be creating and maintaining the
determining the standard (safety and introduced as a means of reducing needed infrastructures such as
quality) and value of fish and fisheries the influence of intermediaries in approach roads to landing centres/
products. There are multiple activities the chain. fishing villages/pond-river-
associated with the landing centres • To solve the twin issues, provision reservoir sites from the main
and harbours, including several of ice, by establishing ice plants, markets, establishing cold storages
ancillary ones like supply of ice and and of potable water can be made at major collection points, ice
potable water; market functions like available for a few closely located factories, etc.
weighing, sorting, auctioning, fishing villages and made • A system to convey the prices
storage etc.; besides transportation operational through fishermen prevailing at the nearby fish
and communication which are links cooperatives or trained Self Help markets for various species daily
that play important roles in getting Groups of fisherwomen. through online (delivering
the produce to its consumers/users. • Cooperative societies may be messages to the fishers’ mobile
However, the efforts are being made encouraged among stakeholders phone).
to improvise the conditions of and assistance may be provided • Modern retail outlets have to be
landing centres, fishing harbours and for establishing infrastructure and promoted vigorously through
fish markets. its management. public-private partnership in every
major city so that fish
Strategies for better functioning of Strategies to improve the market consumption becomes an easier
existing landing centres chains/fish marketing system proposition in days to come.
• Supporting the provision of clean • Training fisher communities/ • Formulating a uniform market
water and power supply fisheries department officials/ policy for fishes so that it becomes
• Installation of ice machines fisheries society/farmers easier in operation and regulation.
• Mechanism to gather catch data association/NGOs etc., on It will not only handle country’s
• Conducting training on proper marketing skills. Basic marketing fish production but will deliver it
usage of landing centres/markets techniques can make a big also to the consuming population,
• Involving the community people difference. ensuring at the same time
in developmental activities • Fisheries department need to have remunerative prices to the fishers.

16
Indian Farming
September 2021
Capacity building organizations. However, unless the boosting the fish processing.
The strategies for improvising the producer and consumer change their Communities or producer groups
capacity building are as follows: attitude all the efforts to improvising need to help identify or be fully
• Building a motivated body of the fish processing sector will supportive of any new products,
trainers from varying become waste. Some of the strategies techniques or technology that are
backgrounds. for changing the awareness and introduced in from outside is unlikely
• A body of mentors through attitude of fish handlers and to lead to success. New products
working closely with staff from consumers are as follows: should be proven to be technically,
local government, NGOs and • Introducing a nationwide economically, environmentally and
educational institutions should be movement through awareness socially feasible and acceptable by the
built to develop a cadre of local campaigns using school children, local community as well as by foreign
post-harvest trainers. college students. buyers. It may be more realistic to
• Training programmes should • Broadcasting the advertisements improve existing post-harvest
include the government staffs about good fish handling hygiene technologies or livelihoods rather
from fisheries departments which practices through mass media and than introduce something completely
increase the replication potential. social network. new. The basic infrastructure should
• Providing equipment or any other • Consumers oriented awareness be strengthened for example
support should also provide programme about the human providing electrical equipment like
instructions and mentoring on health and food safety benefits of sealing machine, and vacuum sealers
how to use and to maintain it. more hygienic fish products. for better packaging of fish will not
• Local trainers should be identified • Awareness raising programmes be lead to the success unless a reliable
and developed, and encouraged to should be conducted on the use and stable power source is available
use their new skills into practice of potential dangers of using and affordable. Monitoring and
early on. Before training the local potentially dangerous chemicals mentoring service from technology
p e o p l e / c o m m u n i t y to prolong fish life or make it institutions should be made available
representatives, engage them to appear ‘fresh’ at local and on the use of equipment to build
help trainers to gain confidence. communities level with the help lasting relationships with the
• Under capacity building of fisherman societies/federation. recipients and service providers.
programmes arrange the study • Organizations like health centres, Instructions on the use of machineries
visits for producer groups or NGOs, schools etc. should be should be available in the local
community members to gain the linked to raise awareness on basic language. Obtaining a successful lead
practical experience and health related issues which can by introducing new techniques may
confidence to carry out broke-out due to improper take considerable trial and error.
improvements to their own handling of fish and fish products. Introduction of new equipment or
products. • Clean potable water, sanitizer, and techniques will have better adoption
• Providing business incubation other appropriate equipment etc. or uptake if it results in the increased
facilities. should be provided to fisher income (e.g. providing aerators for
communities. the live fish/shell fish transportation).
Creating awareness and promoting Indigenous machineries and
attitude shift Up-gradation of existing technologies techniques would be more preferable
Hygienic handling of fish has been and adopting better and greener for ease of equipment maintenance,
stressed since many years but the technologies repair and servicing.
changes are slow and insignificant. Progress on up-gradation and 1
Scientist, 2Principal Scientist, 3 Director.
However, awareness and attitude adopting newer technologies in the *Corresponding author’s e-mail:
changing takes a longer time and field of fish processing and relevant [email protected]
need continuous efforts from various sectors would be a key aspect for

Solar fish cooler

ICAR-CIFT has developed a solar-powered cooling system that can be
used by retail fish vendors. This solar fish cooler is powered by two solar
panels and can hold 50 kg fish at 0 to 5°C. The solar-powered cooler is
expected to reduce the dependency on ice, prolong the shelf-life and
ensure the quality and hygiene of fresh fish sold in the retail markets.
Source:
ICAR Annual Report 2020

17
Indian Farming
September 2021