Premalata Behera, a 40-year-old member of the Maa Women Self Help Group, hails from Dalimbapur, a coastal fishing village in Odisha, India. Her community has relied on the dried fish trade for generations, but Premalata and her fellow group members faced persistent challenges in running their businesses. Traditional open-air sun drying left fish vulnerable to birds, insects, dust, and other contaminants, resulting in poor quality, low demand, and limited profit margins. Inconsistent pricing and a lack of access to modern processing techniques confined her products to local markets, frequently leading to losses due to the short shelf life of her fish.
The turning point came when WorldFish, in collaboration with ICAR-CIFT, the Directorate of Fisheries, and the Mission Shakti department under a USAID initiative, introduced an energy-efficient solar tunnel fish dryer. This low-cost technology provided a controlled environment for drying fish, significantly improving product quality and consistency. With additional guidance on hygienic processing and pricing strategies, Premalata saw immediate benefits. Her fish dried faster, remained cleaner, maintained appealing color, and attracted higher market prices, boosting both income and family well-being.
The adoption of solar drying and training enabled Premalata and other SHG members to increase profit margins by 20 to 25 percent per kilogram for species like anchovy, sardines, pomfret, and mackerel. Higher-quality products attracted direct orders from wholesalers, expanding market reach and strengthening the competitiveness of their business. Practical demonstrations and training sessions provided by WorldFish equipped the women with knowledge on proper washing, efficient drying, packaging, labeling, and pricing, enhancing product marketability and consumer appeal.
Solar drying also extended the shelf life of Premalata’s fish to over six months, reducing losses and enabling better stock management. This technological shift, combined with improved skills and market strategies, has allowed Premalata and her community to thrive economically, while contributing to the sustainability and growth of their local fishing economy. The initiative demonstrates how modern processing techniques, when paired with traditional knowledge and training, can transform livelihoods in coastal communities.
