Traditional Fish Drying Method Practiced by the Farmers of Chalan

International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2020; 8(3): 184-190 E-ISSN: 2347-5129 P-ISSN: 2394-0506 (ICV-Poland) Impact Value: 5.62 Traditional fish drying method practiced by the (GIF) Impact Factor: 0.549 IJFAS 2020; 8(3): 184-190 farmers of Chalan beel (Singra upazila) and their socio- © 2020 IJFAS www.fisheriesjournal.com economic status Received: 01-03-2020 Accepted: 03-04-2020 Md. Nahiduzzaman, Fawzia Adib Flowra, Md. Nazmul Hossen, Md. Nahiduzzaman Scientific Officer, Bangladesh Md. Rabiul Awal, Md. Ashikur Rahman and Shirin Akter Fisheries Research Institute, Bangladesh Abstract The study was carried out at different fish drying points of (Chalan beel) Singra upazila under Natore Fawzia Adib Flowra districts. It is observed that the traditional sun drying was followed and only one fish drying point was Professor, Dept. of Fisheries, continued throughout the year and rest of among 7 fish drying points were seasonal. In the drying Rajshahi University, Bangladesh process, 21 fish species under 13 families were used for drying. Most of the fish were collected from the local fish-landing centre and transportation of raw fish from fish landing centre to fish drying point was Md. Nazmul Hossen Scientific Officer, Bangladesh mainly done by non-mechanized van, rickshaw, bicycle or by head load or shoulder load of the labours. Fisheries Research Institute, Price of raw fishes varied according to their species, size, supply of fishes etc. Winter was the best season Bangladesh for fish drying. The hygienic condition of the commercial fish drying spots was very poor. The annual production ranged from 600 to 2300 mounds of dry fish each year. The highest length conversion ratio Md. Rabiul Awal between raw and dry fish was 1: 0.86 for Chapila and the lowest was 1:0.50 for Chingri whereas the Scientific Officer, Bangladesh highest and lowest weight conversion ratio were 1:0.40 and 1: 0.16 for Silver Carp and Baspata Fisheries Research Institute, respectively. The investigation found that the cost-benefit ratio of fish drying points of the study area Bangladesh varied between 0.42 and 0.56. For evaluating the socio-economic status of the farmers associated with fish drying activities the following criteria were taken into consideration: Annual Income, Occupational Md. Ashikur Rahman Status, Education level, Family Type and Size, Housing Condition, Use of Electricity, Land Holding Scientific Officer, Bangladesh Status, Sanitation and Drinking water and finally Health and Disease. Dry fish farmers were found to Fisheries Research Institute, face various problems such as social, economic and technical problems, which were identified during the Bangladesh study. To overcome exiting problems, necessary suggestions have also made in this study. Shirin Akter Lecturer, Department of Keywords: Fish drying, marketing, socioe-conomic, Chalan beel Fisheries and Marine Biosciences, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Introduction Rahman Science & Technology Dried fish is an important source of protein in Bangladesh. It is relished by many people University, Bangladesh coastal, central and North-eastern districts. However, the physical and organoleptic qualities of [1] many traditional sun-dried products are unsatisfactory for human consumption . In Bangladesh, sun drying is the most widely used method of fish preservation. This method is also considered as the least expensive method of preservation. Drying involves removal of water content from the fish body. In sun drying this process is carried out by exposing target fish directly under the sun. This is usually done in the open air using solar energy to evaporate water content in the fish. Natural air carries away the evaporated water from fish body. For export quite a good amount of catch are preserved specially in freeze and sun dried conditions. Among the export quantity of fish a good amount is occupied by the dried fish which are sold in a number of countries of the world. In 2006-2007 Bangladesh export 77 metric tons dry fish and 441 metric tons salted and dehydrated fish value of tk. 1.34 and 12.80 core respectively [2]. Composing with the foreign exchange earned from the salted and dehydrated fish, export of dry fish is very insignificant. But still it could be said that this fish product is important as it is listed in the export list. If necessary steps could be taken to set up modern drying factories, the products can be made and keep in hygienic ways then demand of this commodity will rise up and Bangladesh will earn more foreign currency. Corresponding Author: Md. Nahiduzzaman The legendary Chalan beel is an important wetland in the North-West region of Bangladesh 0 0 0 0 Scientific Officer, Bangladesh and it lies between 24.35 to 24.70 North latitude and 89.10 to 89.35 East longitudes. The Fisheries Research Institute, total area covered being slightly above 150 square miles (375 sq.km.) during the flood period Bangladesh from July to November of the year. During the dry winter and summer, the water area ~ 184 ~ International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies http://www.fisheriesjournal.com decreases down to 20.6-30.9 sq. km. miles (52-78 sq. km.). traditional sun drying also gives great offers for the drying This is the central zone of Chalan beel proper and covers an process. This also gives them economic development and area belonging to Singra, Gurudashpur and Boraigram thanas their socio-economic status in the society. This research work of Natore and Chatmohar Thana of Pabna district and Tarash, related to the traditional fish drying activities and socio- Raygong and Ullapara thana of the Sirajgonj, Manda of economic condition of dry fish farmer at Singra in Natore Nowgaon district. Most of this area has an average inundation districts. There is a great potential of dry fish product in the depth of more than 2 meters during the rainy season and the north-eastern district such as Rangpur, Nilphamary. So the depth of the central zone is more than 4 meters during the research work will present status of fish drying activities of highest water level [3]. At present only 33 sq.miles (85 sq.km) the north-western districts of Bangladesh and helpful for are under water all the year round. Most areas of Chalan beel developing knowledge and to make some recommendation to is flooded land and consist of numerous small beel and improve the existing condition. This study is also helpful for chanals. Several rivers and their tributes formed a dense water future researcher to conduct further research work. The network over the entire beel area. During the rainy season, the investigation aimed on fish drying activities of the community entire Chalan beel fills with water and create a breeding through field investigation as well as the marketing of dry fish ground for many native fish species. The people living around and also socio-economic condition of the drying professionals this beel include both professional fishermen and general of Singra upzila under Natore district. members of the public who also harvest a huge amount of fishers at this time. The traditional method of preserving Materials and Methods fishes through sun drying is an old practice in areas adjacent Study Period and Areas: The research work was conducted to the beel [4]. for six months from July 2008 to December 2008. To carry Many researchers have been undertaken in Bangladesh on out the present study, different fish drying spots were visited issues related to fish diversity on Chalan beel. Chalan beel is in Chalan beel at Singra upazila under Natore district. potential for fisheries resources. So processing of fish by Fig 1: Map showing the seven fish drying point of Singra upazila under Natore district ~ 185 ~ International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies http://www.fisheriesjournal.com Study Methods: Frequent field visits and interviews of the sun drying for two purposes viz. business and household fish farmers (n=40) were made to collect necessary data on consumption. Sun drying for business purpose is generally fish drying and their socio-economic conditions. Fish drying carried out on elevated bamboo rack made of splits and poles, process was observed in the drying spot of the study areas. sometimes on fishing net directly on earth whereas sun drying for household consumptions performed in small scale by Results using bamboo basket sand small earthen pots (locally called Fish drying activities sara) by hanging. Fish drying yard: In the study area fish farmers carried out Table 1: Location, area, number, and manpower engaged of fish drying points and nature of activities of Chalan beel area at Singra Area Nature of activities Location Number of fish drying points Number of manpower engaged (decimal) Whole year Seasonal Dakhin Domdoma 33 3 0 3 7-8 Zolar bata 38 3 0 3 8-9 Ningoil 69 4 2 2 12-15 Baria 18 1 0 1 5-6 Chougram 15 1 0 1 4-5 Kalam Nazarpur 16 1 0 1 3-4 Dahia 19 2 0 2 4-5 Species used in drying process: Different types of fishes twenty one (21) species of fishes were identified used for were being used for sun drying in the study areas. A total of drying (Table 2). Table 2: List of dried fish species used in the drying process S. No Local name English name Family name Scientific name 1 Punti Barb Puntius sp. 2 Raikhor Reba carp Cirrhinus reba 3 Phul Chela Minnow Salmostoma phulo Cyprinidae 4 Silver carp Exotic carp Hypophthalmicthys molitrix 5 Darkina Minnows Esomus danricus 6 Mola Minnows Amlypharyngodon mola 7 Taki Snakehead Channa punctatus Channidae 8 Shoal Snakehead Channa striatus 9 Guchi Spiny eel Mastacembelus pancalus Mastacembelidae 10 Tara baim Spiny eel Macrognathus aculeatus 11 Gutum puiya Loach Lepidocephalus guntea Cobitidae 12 Bou mach Loach Botia dario 13 Icha chingri Freshwater prawn Palaemonidae Macrobrachium sp.

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