STATUS OF FISH DRYING IN TWO UPAZILAS OF SYLHET

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present study investigates traditional process of fish drying in three representative fish drying areas in Sylhet district such as Tuker Bazar, Mahtabpur and Amtoli during October 2012 to March 2013. A total of 20 dried fish processors, selected randomly from three sites (6 from Tuker Bazar, 8 from Mahtabpur and 6 from Amtoli), were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results show that in all sites all together 23 species of fish were used for drying purpose and most of them were smaller in size. Drying activities generally starts from October 2012 to March 2013. Traditional sun drying method was applied to process the fish. Raw fishes were collected from nearest fish markets or adjacent haors and transported to fish drying points mainly by non-mechanized vans and other local vehicles or shoulder. Fish processors were found doing a pre-treatment of salt before sun drying. The rate of mixing salt in the study area was found as 1kg salt for 8-10 kg of raw fish. After 5-7 hours, the fishes were washed by river, pond or haor water for the removal of salt. At normal weather, the drying duration was recorded as 2-6 days depending on the size of the raw fishes. Plastic, jute-made bags and sometimes bamboo baskets were used for easy handling and packaging purposes. A substantial amount of income was found to be generated from the fish drying activities as reported by the respondents where 26.31%, 28.94% and 44.73% dried fish processors were found in the income ranges of Tk. 10,000-75,000, 1,00,000-5,00,000 and 6,00,000-10,00,000 respectively. The mean area of drying yards at Tuker Bazar, Mahtabpur and Amtoli were 32.80±2.78, 34.00±4.06 and 14.9±2.30 decimal, whereas the average manpower were used 8.6±2.40, 13.4±4.67 and 5.4±1.82 persons. The mean production per yards at Tuker Bazar, Madhabpur and Amtoli were 47120±13969.50, 63600± 16009.37 and 9260±3440.64 kg respectively against mean raw material 117440±39058.52, 165500±38503.25 and 23200±9549.87 kg and mean cost 200000± 101980.39, 328000±127749.75 and 25160±8776.56 Tk. A remarkable number of male and female workers were involved themselves in fish processing activities. The mean daily wages of male and female labors were Tk. 220±78.74 and 70±12.82 respectively seems gulf of difference apparently. This study reveals that the fish processors in the studied areas mainly used the traditional methods for drying the fish and substantial improvement was needed at different stages of handling, processing, and transportation of the fresh fish to get the high quality dried fish products. Training of the fish processors on above aspects including hygiene, sanitation, good water quality and raw materials was found very important to ensure high quality dried products for the consumers.