Team Herald
PANJIM: To cope with changing lifestyles and the increasing consumer purchasing power for quality products, the State government will help make available safe ‘ready-to-cook’ and ‘ready-to-eat’ fisheries products.
The State Fisheries Department has introduced the ‘Financial Assistance to take up Value Addition to Seafood’ scheme, with a focus to promote production, marketing and development of such products.
Fisheries Director Shamila Monteiro said there is an increasing demand for value added products in the market. “Changing consumer preferences brought about by changing lifestyles and an increase in consumer purchasing power has increased the demand for such value-added fishery products,” she said.
Monteiro said there is need to emphasise on value addition besides addressing problems of idle capacity utilisation of fish processing sector, technological upgradation and compliance with safety related regulations.
The scheme focuses on assisting seafood processors to set up processing facilities for value added fisheries products and generating employment opportunities. Under the scheme, residents of Goa for at least 15 years will be provided financial assistance to set up a unit.
Monterio said one of the key issues in the fishing sector is to recognise the importance of not just selling fish, but selling a product with value addition.
allows maximum value to be derived which will provide better margin for that fish.
