A Two days workshop on “De-boning of carp fishes and preparation of value added products” in collaboration with Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Kochi, was inaugurated by Dr. S.S. Ayyapan, DDG (Fisheries), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi at College of Fisheries, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) on 19th May 2009. Twenty five farmers from different districts registered for the workshop. Dr. S.S. Aayyapan while interacting with the participants said that although carp fishes contribute more than 80 % to the aquaculture production of the country but it fetches low market prize due to intramuscular bones as compared to catfishes and prawn having less or no intramuscular bones. Hence, de-boning and value addition of these fishes will not only help in increasing local consumption of fish in the State but also enhance profitability of the farmer significantly. Dr. V.K. Taneja, vice chancellor, GADVASU, presided over the function and encouraged the farmers to take up post harvest processing and value addition of carp fish on commercial scale. He also added that presently with highest productivity in the country (6.04 t/ha/yr) fish production in Punjab has grown manifolds in last three decades and still has further scope of expansion both vertically and horizontally. Fish is high value protein diet for growing children and de-boning of carp flesh will help in higher consumption of fish among growing children. The fish products are also very beneficial for old age persons due to tenderness and easy digestion of its flesh he added. He also advised the farmers to adopt new technologies and methods for uplifting the profession and new techniques for marketing of their produce for higher economic returns. Dr. Kamaldeep kaur, Dean, College of Fisheries revealed that production of value added products from carp fishes will open new marketing avenues for the farmers and university will organize time to time training programmes in processing and value addition for educating the farmers in this regard. Dr. Sugunan, ADG (Fisheries) ICAR, Dr. O.S. parmar, Director Extension education, Dr. S.K. Jand, Registrar and Dean Post Graduate studies, Dr. Simrat Sagar Singh, Dean, College of Veterinary Sciences, Dr. K.S. Sandhu, DSW cum Estate Officer, GADVASU also attended the workshop. Dr. Asha Dhawan, Head, Department of Aquaculture also emphasized that value addition of carps is the need of the hour for better marketing of fish and suggested the farmers to contact the university for technical knowledge and training.
