The solar powered fish dryer in the Mudukatuwa fisheries village in Naththandiya established by the Technology, Research and Atomic Energy Ministry under its Vidatha programme was vested with the Mudukatuwa Fisheries society State Resource and Enterprises Development Minister Dayashritha Tissera on the invitation of Technology, Research and Atomic Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.
Naththandiya Vidatha centre implemented the project to encourage the public to produce new value added products using endemic resources. The total cost of the project is Rs.172,000/-.This is the first solar power fish dryer established by the ministry with technical assistance granted by the Practical Action Institute.
The objective of implementing this project is to preserve additional fish cultivation which in turn will improve their income by earning higher revenues. Also in open sun drying, there is a considerable loss due to various reasons such as rodents, birds, insects, micro-organisms, dust, dirt. Further due to unexpected weather conditions over drying and insufficient drying, the fish would become a bad bargain.
Therefore the Vidatha Centre introduced the solar power system as an effective measure to preserve fish for the fisheries community in Mudukatuwa village.
The system has the capacity to dry 120 kilos of fish per day. This will help protect the nutrition in fish and provide quality fish to the market.
The Technology, Research and Atomic Energy Ministry is to launch this project in Negombo, Chilaw, Northern and Eastern Provinces via Vidatha Centres.
