Fish processing tech to spur development
Ministry of Trade,Industry and Tourism Principal Secretary Ken Ndala says the development of fishprocessing technologies is expected to boost fish exports and help the country realiseforeign exchange and open business opportunities among Malawians.
As one way of reducing high post-harvest losses of fish, which are estimated at 40 percent annually, University of Malawi’s Chancellor College and Department of Fisheries (DoF) during the first phase of the Nsomba N’chuma project developed and tested two technologies, solar tent drier, locally known as Samva Nyengo and improved smoking kiln.
Among others, the two technologies have helped improve shelf-life and quality of dried and smoked fish products, with the solar tent drier enabling processors to dry fish throughout the year, even during the rainy season.
Speaking during the official launch of the second phase in Mangochi on Thursday, Ndala said the technologies will ensure the preservation of high fish yields as they will tackle fish spoilage.
“This is good because even the Malawi Bureau of Standards [MBS] has certified these fish products to go in supermarkets throughout Malawi even on the international market to fetch higher prices.”
The PS said fish contributes to the economy of the country – at least 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP); hence the initiative will address the current trade deficit Malawi is grappling with apart from creating business opportunities to the thousands of loafing youths and women.
“I am impressed with the project which seeks researchers to use their brain in developing technologies that can add value to the resources we have and help us soar highly in the market,” revealed Ndala.
In his remarks, DoF director Friday Njaya said there is need to scale up technologies to improve food and income security of artisanal fish processors and other value chain actors in the fisheries sector.
On his part, the project’s principal investigator Levison Chiwaula said they want to address post-harvest losses of fish and ensure that people get maximum profits.
