National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training, Visakhapatnam

The National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training NIFPHATT, erstwhile Integrated Fisheries Project, which is devoted to all-round development of Post-Harvest Technologies. NIFPHATT envisages the best post harvest fish utili IFPHATT envisages the best post harvest fish utilization and consumption with the least post harvest losses and delivery of the best quality fish and fish products. Post harvest technology upgradation through adaptive research to suit the ever increasing and fast changing consumer needs by developing new processes, products and packaging on pilot scale. Dissemination of the upgraded technology is achieved through consultancy, training, popularization of products and consumer response surveys. The Institute is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Department of Fisheries, carrying out applied research and training in the field of fisheries post harvest technology. This has its head quarters in Cochin and a unit at Visakhapatnam. Sustainability is the key word in all the fishery related discussions and also the great concern in formulating developmental programmes in this field. The earlier belief was that, this terminology related to harvesting fish biomass or farming only. But now it is vivid that sustainability of fishery resources is directly and indirectly influenced by the post harvest sector i.e. by the way in which it is handled and utilised after one gram of precious fish protein saved by proper handling is equivalent to one gram of protein produced. The motto of this organisation as well as the message it is trying to spread is zero wastage or rather complete utilisation, thereby reducing the pressure on the available biomass, but at the same time catering and meeting all our nutritional requirements.The main objective of the Institute is to develop the value added fishery products by way of process and product diversification from all varieties of fish including low value, unconventional species and seasonally abundant fishes. Imparting training both regular and need based in the field of post harvest technology, refrigeration technology, quality control and development of value added products. The training programmes include on the job training to college and university students and fisher women self help groups SHGs This Institute envisages processing, popularisation and test marketing of fishery products including those from unconventional varieties. Popularisation of novel products and technologies are achieved through test marketing, trade fairs, exhibitions, brochures, pamphlets and consultancy services. The history of National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training NIFPHATT, erstwhile Integrated Fisheries Project IFP goes back to October 17th 1952 when a tripartite agreement was signed by the Government of Norway, India and United Nations which resulted in the establishment of Indo Norwegian Project INP for fisheries and fishermen community development at Neendakara in Quilon, Kerala. The head quarters was shifted to Koch in 1961. The Project established new centres at Kannur in Kerala, Karwar in Karnataka and Mandapam in Tamil Nadu state during 1963-64, in addition to expanding the activities in Kochi by acquiring a fleet of modern fishing trawlers and research vessels. The Project acquired new dimensions with the construction of a modern marine workshop and slipway capable of catering to underwater repairs to fishing trawlers upto 250 tons displacement – the first of its kind in the fishing industry of the country – and a fish processing cum training centre at Kochi. On termination of the agreement with Govt. of Norway in 1972, the administration of the Project was completely taken over by Govt. of India and the Indo Norwegian Project was renamed as INTEGRATED FISHERIES PROJECT. The establishments of the Project at Kannur, Karwar and Mandapam were handed over to the respective State Fisheries Departments. Realising the need for extending the activities of developing post harvest technologies along the upper east coast, the Govt of India decided to set up a unit of IFP in Visakhapatnam in 1989 in a rented premise. A permanent building was set up at beach road adjacent to the fishing harbour in 1995. Consequent to the recommendations of two committees including Cadre Review Committee constituted by the Ministry of Agriculture to study the working of IFP, made several recommendations regarding reorientation of IFP by transferring some of its sections and activities to other subordinate offices and also redefining the mandate. As a result of this, the processing and marketing division, refrigeration, training and civil engineering section have been retained in IFP and all other divisions were transferred to Fishery Survey of India and the Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical Engineering and Training. During the year 2008, the Govt. of India renamed IFP as National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training NIFPHATT. ...view more