Institutional and Technological Support for Dry Fish Processors in Tamil Nadu:An Empirical Assessment

P. SEENIVASAN; A.L.  KAMBLE; P.S.  ANANTHAN; T.  VELUMANI; T. JAYAPRATHA; K. GOBIKA; G. THAVASI

doi:10.54894/JISCAR.43.1.2025.165838

Authors

P. SEENIVASAN ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Panch Marg, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India
A.L. KAMBLE ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Panch Marg, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India
P.S. ANANTHAN ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Panch Marg, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India
T. VELUMANI ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Panch Marg, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India
T. JAYAPRATHA ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Panch Marg, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India
K. GOBIKA ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Panch Marg, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India
G. THAVASI ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Panch Marg, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India

https://doi.org/10.54894/JISCAR.43.1.2025.165838

Keywords:

Dry fish processor, Institutional support, Solar dryer, Technology adoption

Abstract

The dry fish sector in India is a vital component of the fisheries value chain systems, transforming low-value fish into higher-value, high-demand dried fish, contributing to food security, livelihoods, and exports. Despite this transformation driven by dry fish processors (DFPs), the sector experienced a 38.64% decline in population between 2005 and 2016. For this purpose, this study assesses the extent of institutional and technological support available to DFPs in coastal Tamil Nadu. A stratified random sampling method was employed to collect data from 300 DFPs across 14 coastal districts. The findings indicated that among the surveyed population, 41.7% were part of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and 21% were members of fisheries cooperatives. Yet, the processors relied on traditional sun drying, and 63.3% of the DFPs population still struggled with access to drying yards, highlighting infrastructure and institutional
support gaps in the sector. Despite these challenges, 80% of DFPs were willing to adopt solar dryer techniques, yet only 25% had received training in value addition, limiting their competitiveness in evolving markets. The institutional support remains fragmented and uneven, reaching only a small portion of the DFP community. Strengthening targeted training programs, enhancing infrastructure, and scaling up access to appropriate technologies like solar dryers are essential for improving the dry fish sector’s resilience and long-term sustainability.

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