Post-Harvest Loss Reduction in Fisheries in Bangladesh: a Way Forward to Food Security

Final Report PR 5/08 Post-harvest Loss Reduction in Fisheries in Bangladesh: A Way Forward to Food Security By Dr. A K M Nowsad Alam, Principal Investigator Department of Fisheries Technology Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh This study was carried out with the support of the National Food Policy Capacity Strengthening Programme October 2010 The study was financed under the research grant scheme (RGS) of the National Food Policy Capacity Strengthening Programme (NFPCSP). The purpose of the RGS was to assist in improving research and dialogues within civil society so as to inform and enrich the implementation of the National Food Policy. The NFPCSP is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organizations (FAO) and the Food Planning and Monitoring Unit (FMPU), Ministry of Food and Disaster Management with the financial support of the EC and USAID. The designation and representation the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the FAO nor the NFPCSP, Government of Bangladesh, EC or USAID and reflects the sole opinions and views of the authors who are fully responsible for the contents, findings and recommendations of the recommendation of the report. 2 Executive Summary Fish is an important source of protein in the diet and it provides livelihood for millions of people as well as valuable income and revenue in many countries. It is a highly perishable food, requiring proper handling, processing and distribution if it is to be utilized in a cost effective and efficient way. The demand for fish is growing and reduction in post-harvest losses can make a major contribution to satisfying this demand, improving quality and quantity for consumers and increasing income for producers. In Bangladesh, the fisheries sector suffers from serious post-harvest loss every year due to ignorance and negligence in handling and processing at different stages of the supply chain from the harvest to retail distribution. Improper handling and processing reduce the quality of the products. Low quality fish is of great concern to food security and public health. It also results in serious economic loss for the fish traders and processors. It is therefore imperative to formulate policy recommendations for taking adequate interventions for loss reduction. Policy recommendations and strategy formulation can be made through assessing post-harvest loss in different stages of handling, distribution and processing and developing appropriate loss reduction interventions. The present research aimed at examining fish handling and processing practices with constraints, assessing component-wise post-harvest loss of fish through sensory and biochemical methods, developing appropriate protocols for the reduction of loss, developing manuals on post-harvest loss reduction of fish, and recommending policies for a sustainable fish handling and processing system for Bangladesh. Before the launching of the field programmes, an inception and planning workshop was organized on 24 January 2009 in BAU and a thorough revision was made on the sampling methodology, sample size and data collection through participatory discussions held with the Chief Technical Advisor, Technical Assistance Team members and the stakeholders. For awareness raising, a brochure highlighting the project goals and objectives, approaches and methodologies and expected benefits was prepared, published and distributed. Six team-visits were made in six study areas to developing awareness among the stakeholders and building rapports. Six study areas were – i. Chittagong- Cox’s Bazar zone for marine capture fisheries; ii. Chandpur-Noakhali-Barishal-Barguna zone for Ilish and flood plain fisheries; iii. Khulna-Bagerhat-Satkhira zone for shrimp and prawn fisheries; iv. Dhaka-Mymensingh-Sylhet zone for inland culture and capture fisheries; v. Barind-Northwestern zone for culture and capture fisheries; and vi. Aquaculture zone of greater Jessore and adjacent districts for culture fisheries. Side by side, qualitative data were collected during rapport building exercise through checklists. On the basis of secondary data on catch statistics and composition, distribution and marketing of fish and on primary data obtained by field studies, an electronic database was developed. This computer-based one touch database describes landing and distribution pattern of every commercial fish species available throughout the country in each of the major landing centers and fish business stations. As a handy tool, the database can be able to give a clear picture of available fish at any location up to union level and their distribution pathways. 3 The Exploratory Studies (ES), conducted by rapid rural appraisal and SWOT analysis, involved the fish farmers, fishermen, commission agents, wholesalers, traders, retailers and small-scale processors of six research sites to collect information on technical and socio-economic issues relevant to post-harvest loss, covering practices from fishing to marketing with constraints and coping strategies. ES generated two major outputs: i. information on major fish landing and distribution channel throughout the country and ii. harvest and post-harvest situation of fish landed. Major fish species landed with catch size and their post-harvest processing and utilization were determined through exploratory RRA. SWOT analyses identified the constraints and threats of six major stakeholders in the fish distribution channel along with solution options prescribed. The entire data were cross-checked and field validated through a participatory review and planning workshop organized in Chittagong on 23 June 2009. Questionnairebased interviews of different stakeholders were conducted using the field-tested questionnaires. The data were reviewed and validated through a participatory review and planning workshop organized in Khulna on 10 November 2009. Species from major fish groups in the distribution channel were assessed for biochemical and microbiological quality loss corresponding to the sensory defect point of each species. Parameters like true protein (mg/g), crude protein (%), non-protein nitrogen (%), total volatile base nitrogen (mg/100 g), peroxide value (mmol/100 g), thiobarbituric acid value (mg/kg), protein solubility (%), pH and aerobic plate count (CFU/g) were assessed. A correlation was developed between biochemical and microbial quality loss of each fish and their sensory defect points. Quality loss of major cultured and captured fish in different stages of distribution channel was directly assessed using a sensory based Fish Loss Assessment Tool. The assessments were conducted for an entire year from March 2009 to February 2010 to find out the seasonal variations of quality loss. Variables used in assessing fish quality were different fish containers, different icing and handling conditions; times lapsed to market fish, distances from origin and different transportation systems. At least five lots of same fish and 3 individual measurements for each lot were assessed. The quality deterioration of the same species was assessed in different locations and steps of distribution channel. Quality Loss Index (QLI) model was developed to estimate the percent loss of fish at any stage of distribution channel. QLI was calculated from the number of quality defect points (DP) in a fish species in percent that crossed biochemical and microbial quality cut-off points in different lots of same species under different distribution channel. Through this index the percent loss of each species at each step of distribution was determined. The percent loss was used to calculate the approximate total loss in wet- fish post-harvest. Considering the losses of fish and the products assessed in different processes, some appropriate loss reduction interventions (LRIs) were developed. The LRIs were developed and field-tested in participation with the stakeholders during field studies. The Indigenous Technical Knowledges (ITKs) were considered during the development of LRIs. The LRIs developed during the field studies along with other good practices in fish handling and processing were compiled in a manual, named ‘Post-harvest Loss 4 Reduction in Fish’. The manual is a Bangla version, pictorial, easy to understand and self explanatory. Awareness development on loss reduction was done through awareness meetings, informal training and/or FGD in different landing centres, arats and markets. After each intervention, a copy of the manual was given to a key person of the group. Six regional stakeholder-based dialogues were organized in 6 research sites and one central workshop was organized in Dhaka to verify the data and to recommend policy for loss reduction in fish. Field studies observed that landing centres are quite insufficient in the country with virtually no structures in most of the spots. Recording of catch/distribution/market data at landing centres and markets at local or regional level was completely lacking. Common constraints identified in wet fish distribution were lack of technical knowledge, recurrence of natural disaster, low catch of fish, lack of ice box, unavailability of ice, high price of ice, money lending at high rate, fluctuation of fish price, limited opportunity of alternative income generating activities (AIGA) and undue toll taken by local mafias. Common constraints in shrimp value chain were huge unskilled workers involved in each stage, high price of ice, lack of regular monitoring and advise from GO/NGOs, dominance

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