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East Godavari’s dry fish export potential remains untapped
The coastal villages in Kothapalli, Thondangi, Tuni and Kakinada mandals are famous for production of dry fish in the district. Mouthwatering recipes are prepared with dry fish. It is also used as poultry feed. Lack of adequate number of fish drying platforms has hit its exports.
Pithapuram (East Godavari): It seems the Fisheries Department has failed to tap the export potential of dry fish fully though it is a major foreign exchange earner.
The coastal villages in Kothapalli, Thondangi, Tuni and Kakinada mandals are famous for production of dry fish in the district. Mouthwatering recipes are prepared with dry fish. It is also used as poultry feed. Lack of adequate number of fish drying platforms has hit its exports.
Though the demand for dry fish is on the rise, no steps have been taken to increase the number of fish drying platforms in the district. Earlier, the platforms were located near the shore. But they got submerged following the surge of the sea at several places.
Though the Fisheries Department built three or four platforms newly, they were not located at places which receive bright sunshine throughout the day. As the platforms failed to serve the purpose, most of the fishermen started drying fish on the roadside affecting the quality of the catch.
The fish and prawns which are dried properly, fetch a better price to fishermen. There is acute space crunch for drying fish in several coastal villages. The dry fishing platform at Subbampet is not large enough to meet the needs of local fishermen. Another grievance of fishermen is lack of proper storage facility.
A small drizzle is enough to dampen the dry fish affecting its quality.Speaking to The Hans India, a fisherman said, “There were warehouses for dry fish near the shore prior to the 80s. They got submerged or damaged due to the sea surge. No new warehouses are built after that.
At present, there is also no facility to dry fish using smoke during the rainy season.” He said, “More fish drying platforms, warehouses and other necessary infrastructure are needed to boost the dry fish exports from East Godavari district. We hope that the Fisheries Department will realise the export potential of dry fish and encourage us duly by creating adequate infrastructure.”
By:Saride Nageswara Rao
