ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology

20/08/2026

🐟🚀 ICAR-CIFT Concludes Three-Day Training on Fish Processing, Value Addition & Waste Utilization 🚀🐟
The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Kochi, successfully concluded a three-day training programme on “Entrepreneurship Development Through Fish Processing, Value Addition & Waste Utilization” on 14 August 2026.
📅 12–14 August 2026
👥 14 participants comprising fish farmers and entrepreneurs
The programme combined scientific knowledge with extensive hands-on practical sessions covering:
🐟 Hygienic handling and pre-processing of fish
🍤 Value addition through coated, wrapped and pickled products
♻️ Utilization of fish processing discards
📦 Packaging and labelling as per FSSAI norms
❄️ Proper storage of chilled, frozen and dried fish products
⚙️ Demonstration of pilot-level fish processing equipment
🎓 The valedictory function was graced by Dr. George Ninan, Director, ICAR-CIFT, who interacted with the participants and distributed certificates.
In his address, Dr. Ninan emphasized the significant potential for value addition of inland and cultured fish species, highlighting opportunities for entrepreneurship, livelihood enhancement and income generation in the fisheries sector.
👨‍🔬 The programme was coordinated by Dr. Jeyakumari A., Mr. Sreejith S., and Dr. Sreepriya Prakasan.
🌊 From fish processing to value creation — empowering entrepreneurs through science, skills and technology.
#𝖲𝗄𝗂𝗅𝗅𝖣𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗈𝗉𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍 🐟♻️🚀

19/08/2026

🐟🏆 FROM CIFT RESEARCH TO GOVERNMENT POLICY! A PROUD MOMENT FOR ICAR-CIFT
A landmark achievement for ICAR-CIFT’s WorldFish Project collaboration!
What began as a research programme in 2019 has now reached a remarkable milestone — a fish-based nutrition intervention emerging from this body of work has received recognition at the Government level in Assam.
Dr. George Ninan, Director, ICAR-CIFT, Kochi, has announced this significant achievement associated with the Matsya Paripushti (Complete Nourishment through Fish) initiative of the Government of Assam.
🏆 Matsya Paripushti has received the prestigious Karmashree Award 2026 of the Government of Assam.
🐟 What is the CIFT contribution?
Under the ICAR-CIFT–WorldFish collaborative programme, CIFT worked on developing affordable, easy-to-use fish-based nutritional products for children and women.
One important outcome was the development and standardisation of dried fish powder technology. The CIFT study demonstrated high protein content in dried anchovy powder and established its microbiological safety for up to eight months under the study conditions.
👧🍚 Fish powder meets school nutrition
In Assam, the concept has evolved into Matsya Paripushti, where powder made from locally available small indigenous fish is incorporated into meals served to children in Anganwadi centres and lower primary schools. (LinkedIn)
The initiative brings together:
🐟 Fisheries
👧 Child nutrition
👩 Women’s self-help groups
🌾 Local fish production
🏫 School & Anganwadi meals
🏛️ Government programmes
🌍 WorldFish & development partners
And now, importantly, it has received Government-level recognition and support for wider implementation. https://www.nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-indigenous-fish-powder-initiative-matsya-paripusti-wins-karmashree-award-for-child-nutrition.html
🌟 THIS IS WHAT RESEARCH IMPACT LOOKS LIKE!
Research → Technology → Field → Evidence → Government → Policy → Scale
For ICAR-CIFT, this is more than an award.
It is a powerful demonstration that fisheries research can directly contribute to nutrition security and public policy.
A proud moment for every scientist, technical expert and staff member associated with the ICAR-CIFT–WorldFish collaboration since 2019.
🐟 Small fish. Big nutrition. Bigger impact.
Congratulations to all partners!

19/08/2026

🐟✨ Turning Fish into Opportunities! 🌱💼
Hands-on Training on “Value Added Fish Products and Fish Waste Utilization” was successfully conducted for stakeholders from Kunnamkulam, Thrissur, under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) scheme.
📅 August 6–7, 2026
📍 Fish Processing Division, ICAR-CIFT, Kochi
🤝 In collaboration with Krishi Bhavan, Kunnamkulam, Thrissur
The two-day hands-on programme provided practical exposure to:
🐟 Preparation of diverse value-added fish products
📦 Effective packaging techniques
♻️ Innovative fish waste utilization
🌱 Microbial composting of fish waste
💡 Improved fish handling and processing practices
The training aimed to promote value addition, efficient resource utilization and sustainable livelihood opportunities among stakeholders.
The programme was coordinated by Dr. Sreepriya Prakasan, Mr. Sreejith S., Dr. Renuka V. and Dr. Binsi P. K.
From fish processing to fish waste—turning every resource into an opportunity! 🐟➡️💰♻️
#𝖲𝗄𝗂𝗅𝗅𝖣𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗈𝗉𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍

17/08/2026

🐟🔬 ICAR-CIFT Conducts Advanced Training Programme on Fish Processing Technology for Odisha Fisheries Officials 🔬🐟
ICAR-CIFT, Kochi, jointly through its Fish Processing (FP) Division and Extension, Information & Statistics (EIS) Division, conducted a five-day training programme on “Advances in Fish Processing Technology” from 3–7 August 2026 for officials of the Directorate of Fisheries, Government of Odisha.
👨‍🔬👩‍🔬 24 fisheries officials participated in the programme, designed to refresh their knowledge of basic fish processing and familiarize them with advanced technologies for field-level application.
📚 Key areas covered:
🐟 Modern fish processing technologies
❄️ Cold chain management
♻️ By-product utilization and allied technologies
🍤 Fish value-added and speciality products
📦 Packaging technologies
🌱 Waste utilization
🛡️ Food safety and regulatory requirements
🎙️ An invited technical session on FSSAI regulations and food safety was delivered by Mrs. Dhanya K. N., Deputy Director, FSSAI.
🛠️ Hands-on sessions provided practical exposure to value-added and speciality fish products, packaging technologies, and waste utilization.
🏭 An industrial visit to M/s. Baby Marine International, Kochi, provided participants with practical exposure to commercial fish processing and quality management practices.
🎯 The programme strengthened the technical knowledge and practical skills of fisheries officials, enabling them to effectively apply and disseminate improved fish processing and value-addition technologies among stakeholders.
👨‍🔬 The programme was coordinated by Dr. Sarika K., Senior Scientist, and Dr. Sreepriya Prakasan, Scientist, under the guidance of Dr. Bindu J., HoD, FP Division, and Dr. Nikita Gopal, HoD, EIS Division, as Course Directors.
🌊 Strengthening skills • Advancing technology • Adding value to fisheries
#𝖲𝗄𝗂𝗅𝗅𝖣𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗈𝗉𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍 🐟🔬🌊

13/08/2026

🌊🐢 ICAR-CIFT Conducts Training Programme on Inspection of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) at Veraval, Gujarat 🐢🌊
The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Veraval Research Centre, in association with the MPEDA-NETFISH and the Department of Fisheries, Gujarat & Daman and Diu, conducted a one-day training programme on “Inspection of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)” on 12 August 2026 at Veraval, Gujarat.
🎯 The programme was organized to strengthen the technical capacity of fisheries officials in the inspection, identification, operation and compliance of TEDs used in trawl fisheries, supporting responsible fishing practices and marine turtle conservation.
👨‍✈️ Around 30 fisheries officials from Gujarat participated in the programme.
👨‍🔬 Scientific Experts from ICAR-CIFT:
🔹 Dr. Ashish Kumar Jha, Senior Scientist
🔹 Dr. N. Rajendra Naik, Scientist
ICAR-CIFT, Veraval Research Centre
📚 The training comprised both theoretical and practical sessions covering:
🐢 Importance and functioning of TEDs
⚙️ Design and major components of TEDs
🦐 Role of TEDs in reducing incidental capture of sea turtles
🔧 Installation and operational requirements
📏 Key technical parameters for TED inspection
🔍 Identification of improper installation and operational deficiencies
✅ Field-level inspection and compliance procedures
🛠️ The practical session provided participants with hands-on exposure to TED components and inspection procedures, enabling them to identify installation deficiencies and other factors that could affect the effective functioning of TEDs.
💬 An interactive session addressed technical and field-level queries related to TED installation, operation, inspection and compliance, helping participants gain greater clarity on appropriate inspection procedures.
🌊🐢 The programme reinforces ICAR-CIFT's commitment to responsible fisheries, sustainable trawl fishing, marine biodiversity conservation, and science-based fisheries management.
Responsible Fishing • Healthy Oceans • Protected Marine Life 🌊🐢⚓
🐢🌊⚓

12/08/2026

10/08/2026

🌊♻️ ICAR-CIFT Transfers Shrimp Shell Biorefinery Technology to Industry for Sustainable Seafood Waste Utilization ♻️🌊
The ICAR–Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Kochi, has entered into a consultancy agreement with Tangerine Biosciences, New Delhi, for the transfer of its shrimp shell biorefinery technology.
📅 The agreement was signed on 7 August 2026, marking an important step towards the commercial utilization of seafood processing waste through sustainable and value-added approaches.
🏭 Tangerine Biosciences, a unit of Shree Shyam Pipes Pvt. Ltd., is engaged in the manufacture and export of botanicals and standardized extracts. Through this collaboration, the company aims to adopt advanced biorefinery techniques to expand its product portfolio while promoting environmentally responsible processing practices.
🔬 The ICAR-CIFT scientific team involved in the collaboration includes:
👩‍🔬 Dr. Elavarasan K.
👨‍🔬 Dr. Renuka V.
👩‍🔬 Dr. Jeyakumari A.
👨‍🔬 Shri Sreejith S.
👨‍🔬 Dr. Chandrasekhar V.

♻️ From seafood waste to value-added products
Shrimp shell waste generated during seafood processing represents a significant resource for biorefinery-based value addition. The collaboration is expected to facilitate the dissemination and industrial adoption of ICAR-CIFT technology, while helping reduce waste disposal challenges in the seafood processing sector.
🌱 This initiative reinforces ICAR-CIFT's commitment to circular bioeconomy, sustainable seafood processing, waste valorisation, technology transfer, and technology-driven entrepreneurship.
🐟 Turning seafood processing waste into valuable resources through science and innovation.
🌊♻️🔬

05/08/2026

🎉NEW PATENT ALERT🎉

29/07/2026

ICAR-CIFT conducted an Awareness Programme on the implementation of CIFT-Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) on 28 July 2026 at Paradip, Odisha, under the MPEDA-funded project "Implementation of CIFT-TED in Shrimp Trawlers of India – Awareness, Adoption and Impact Assessment."
The programme brought together 50 mechanised trawl owners, deckhands and netmakers to promote the adoption of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) for sustainable shrimp trawling and sea turtle conservation.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Sri. Subhrakanta Mohapatra, State Coordinator, NETFISH, who highlighted the impact of the U.S. shrimp import restrictions and their implications for India's seafood export sector.
Dr. R. Raghu Prakash, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFT, presented an overview of the project and explained the significance of the CIFT-TED in conserving sea turtles while ensuring sustainable fisheries. He elaborated on the design, installation and operation of the device, emphasizing that the CIFT-TED is designed to provide 100% turtle escapement with minimal catch loss, addressing a major concern of the fishing community.
Shri. Bibhuti Ranjan Rout, Deputy Director, Department of Fisheries, Government of Odisha, stressed the importance of TED implementation, noting that its use is mandatory under the Odisha Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (OMFRA). Sri. Sikanth Parida, President, Odisha Marine Fish Producer Association, encouraged fishers to install and use TEDs in their trawlers.
Dr. V. Chandrashekhar, Scientist, ICAR-CIFT, highlighted the importance of collecting accurate feedback from fishers to assess the field performance and impact of TED implementation. He also proposed the vote of thanks.
The programme concluded with the distribution of TED awareness brochures and sea turtle conservation-themed T-shirts to all participants.
Together, we move towards responsible fishing, sea turtle conservation, and sustainable shrimp fisheries.

23/07/2026

📢 Call for Applications | KSH*TIJ 2.0 – The Blue Horizon Cohort
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), through its ICAR–Fisheries Institutes under the NAIF–ICAR Network, invites applications for KSH*TIJ 2.0 – The Blue Horizon Cohort, a two-month virtual incubation programme designed to nurture innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth in the fisheries sector.
The programme offers technical mentoring, access to fisheries technologies, industry networking opportunities, and guidance from experts across the ICAR Fisheries Institutes.
It is open to fish farmers, early-stage startups, student innovators, entrepreneurs, business entities, FFPOs/FPCs, and MSMEs in the fisheries sector.
Focus Areas:
• Fish Farming & Feed Technology
• Sustainable Harvest Technologies
• Post-Harvest Technologies, Value Addition & Waste Utilization
• Fish Health, Nutrition & Aquaceuticals
• Cold Chain, Packaging & Preservation
• Digital Marketing
Application Timeline
📅 Applications Open: 10 July 2026
📅 Last Date to Apply: 31 July 2026
🔗Apply Now:
https://icarcift.accubate.app/ext/form/23870/1/apply

For any queries, please contact:
ZTM-ABI Centre
📞 9778103137 / 0484 2412414
📧 [email protected]
Join us in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship for a sustainable blue economy.