With a view to popularize the newly evolved harvest and post-harvest techniques  among the tribal fishermen and women a training programme cum field demonstration was  organized under Tribal Sub Plan of ICAR-CIFT at  Daseipur village of, Gopalaganda Reservoir, Ganjam Dist., Orissa  from on from 01.12.16 to 03.12.16. For enhancing livelihood security of tribal fishers of Daseipur village of, Gopalaganda Reservoir, Ganjam Dist., Orissa, improved harvest and post-harvest practices for Inland fisheries developed by ICAR-CIFT was demonstrated to the tribal fishers through TSP and fisherswill be getting economic benefit from such activity. To continue their economic progress from fisheries using new improved technologies this fishers training was conducted. 

The capacity-building programme was attended by roughly 76 fisherwomen and men on 01.12.16, 79 fisherwomen and men on 02.12.16 and 78 fisherwomen and men on 03.12.16.In the training programmefishers active in fisheries activities participated and learnt about the improved newer technologies for both harvest and post-harvest. The fishers were quite enthusiastic and interacted with the Scientists of ICAR-CIFT regarding new harvest technologies, hygienic handling of fish and value added product preparation. Fishers showed their reservoir and areas of operation to the Scientists and received advice for operating the foldable traps which were given to them. The Department of Fisheries, Government of Odisha rendered logistic support in conducting the program. 

The Chief Guest of the inaugural program held on 01.12.16 was Shri.RabiNarayana Mishra, Associate Professor, College of Fisheries, Rangeilunda, Berhampur. Other dignitaries who presided in the inaugural session wereDr.U.Sreedhar, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFT, Ms. JesmiDebbarma, Scientist, ICAR-CIFT, Shri. Siba Prasad Bhoi, deputy Director of Fisheries (Ganjam Zone), Department of Fisheries, Government of Odisha, Shri.Girija Shankar Prasad Mishra, District Fisheries Officer-Cum- CEO, FFDA & BFDA (Ganjam Zone), Department of Fisheries, Government of Odisha, Shri.B.K.Pradhan, Assistant Chief Technical Officer (ACTO), ICAR-CIFT and Shri. Nikhil Kumar Moharana, Assistant Fisheries Officer, Department of Fisheries, Government of Odisha. 

In addition to the above mentioned Guests the program was attended by Mrs. Sandhya Rani Gouda, President, MaabeharaPatra Primary Fisher Women Cooperative Society (PFWCS), Mrs. RasmitaKumariSahu, Secretary, PFWCS, Shri. G.Bhushnam, Senior Technician, ICAR-CIFT and Shri.S.Ganik, SSG, ICAR-CIFT. 

Shri. Rabi Narayana Mishra inaugurating the training by breaking Coconut.	Shri. Rabi Narayana Mishra addressing the audience.
Dr.U.Sreedhar, addressing the audience.	Shri. Siba Prasad Bhoi, deputy Director, addressing the audience.
Shri.Girija Shankar Prasad Mishra, District Fisheries Officer, addressing the audience.	Mrs. Sandhya Rani Gouda, President proposing the vote of thanks.

The inaugural session was hoisted by Shri. Nikhil Kumar Moharana, Assistant Fisheries Officer, Department of Fisheries, Government of Odisha. The session started in Ganjam traditional tribal way by breaking coconut, the honour was done by the Chief Guest of the program Shri.RabiNarayana Mishra, Associate Professor, College of Fisheries, Rangeilunda, Berhampur. The chief guest in his address emphasized the importance of new technologies developed by ICAR-CIFT under the aegis of ICAR. He also mentioned that ICAR is making effort to improve the livelihood of tribal fishersthrough the TSP programme and that fishers are the main stakeholders of any innovative technology developed by the scientists. He also thanked the fishers for spending their valuable time by their active participation in the trainingprogrammeand interaction. He also urged them to implement the lessons learnt in their own catching methods.  

Dr.U.Sreedhar, Principal Scientist, in his inaugural speech told the fishers on importance of adoption of new technologies. He explained the various types of technologies available with ICAR-CIFT in both harvest and post-harvest sector. He also dealt on role of ICAR in catering the food and nutritional security needs of hinterland residents mainly fishers belonging to ST Groups and also of ICAR-CIFT that gives significant emphasis in developing appropriate technologies suiting rural conditions such as foldable fish traps for harvesting fish, design and  fabrication of eco-friendly fishing gears and employment of insulated fish bags for transportation of fish  from the reservoir to the points of sale to ensure quality and better price realization.Shri.Siba Prasad Bhoi, deputy Director of Fisheries (Ganjam Zone), Department of Fisheries, Government of Odisha in his inaugural speech thanked the fishers for coming in good numbers and sparing their valuable time for the program. He also and urged them to take maximum advantage of the training. Shri.Girija Shankar Prasad Mishra, District Fisheries Officer-Cum- CEO, FFDA & BFDA (Ganjam Zone), Department of Fisheries, Government of Odisha in his inaugural address thanked ICAR-CIFT for accepting their request to come to the tribal village and mention about the enthusiasm exhibited by fisher folks belonging to this district. Ms. JesmiDebbarma, Scientist, ICAR-CIFT explained the various post-harvest technologies and value added products on which the training will be conducted and also impressed the participants on the role of fish in nutrition, child development and also to teenagers. She told that fish soup powder is specially developed at ICAR-CIFT keeping in mind the needs of people residing in remote areas.Shri B. Pradhan, ACTO translated the talks from English/Hindi to local colloquial Odiya for better communication. The vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs. Sandhya Rani Gouda, President, MaaBeharaPatra Primary Fisher Women Cooperative Society (PFWCS).   

Distribution of Implements: 

Three types of improved gills nets designed by ICAR-CIFT were distributed. Two new designs of foldable traps were also distribute. The entire necessary implement for the preparation of Fish cutlets, fish pickle and fish pakoda were distributed to MaaBeharaPatra Primary Fisher Women Cooperative Society (PFWCS) for further use.   

 
Three days activities:   

During the three days programme lectures were delivered on importance of fish as food, hygienic handling of fish at different stages right from harvest to post harvest, product development, storage till it reaches the consumer/plate; reasons for spoilage of fish and the measures to control the same, preparation of different value added fish products namely fish pickle, fish cutlet, fish pakoda and uses of eco-friendly fishing gears.  

On 02.12.16 and 03.12.16 a field demonstration cum interactive session was arranged for the Harvest technologies developed by ICAR-CIFT.  Gillnets designed and fabricated at ICAR-CIFT which were promulgated to the fisher folks were tested. Two units of improved Gillnets with 120mm mesh size were distributed. Two units of 100mm mesh size were used for training and field testing. One unit of improved Gillnets with 140mm mesh size was also distributed and field tested. The only of 120mm whish was tested and used for training fetched a catch of 18 kgs of Indian major carps. 

    

The fishermen from Gopalagunda, reservoir were also trained to operate the foldable tarps using coconut as bait.

Date 03.12.16 a survey of the reservoir was conducted along with fishermen about the topography of the reservoir. The detail of the various types of crafts and gears by the fisher folks was collected. As for the fisher folks of Gopalagunda reservoir good catches of the prawn are seen up to the month of August last. The prawns are basically caught using Gill nets or local traps. According to the fishers from the month of September to October most of the prawns are coming to the shore to the reservoir and sometimes mass mortality is also observed. Further investigation in this issue is necessary. Resultant prawns catches are low in the month of November and December. Catches from the gillnets by the local fishers using  monofilament gill nets the catches were dominated by L. Rohita and catlacatla. 

On 02.12.16 and 03.12.16 training was given in preparation of three value added products namely fish pickle, fish cutlet, and fishpakoda. The locally available fishes were used for the preparation the fisher women from Maa Behara Patra Primary Fisher Women Cooperative Society (PFWCS) participated in the preparation with lot of enthusiasm.