Introduction to Post Harvest Technology

INTRODUCTION:

PHT abbreviated as Post Harvest Technology. What techniques and technology we use after harvesting the fish everything is under the Post Harvest Technology.

A great portion of the harvested fish is lost over the world only for the lacking of PHT. About 5 millions of tones post harvest losses occur at every year in less developed countries.

[Source: Post harvest losses in traditionally processed fish products in less developed countries, Poulter et al. (1988)]

Not just resources, proper utilization of these resources are the only way to establish a sustainable fisheries economy in the competitive world. And in Bangladesh where resources like freshwater, coastal and marine water are available PHT knowledge can take a great patron our economy.

In developing countries, where tropical weather and poorly developed infrastructure contribute to the problem, losses are sometimes staggering proportions. Losses occur in all operations from harvesting through handling, storage, processing and marketing. They are according to the influence of factors such as the perishability of the commodity; ambient temperature and relative humidity which determine the natural courses of decay; fungal and bacterial decay; damage by pests-insects, rodents and birds; the length of time between harvesting and consumption; and practices of post harvest handling, storage and processing.

Most often, post harvest losses are symptom rather than the problem. Knowledge of their cause is, therefore, essential deciding measures to prevent them. Such measures may have to be taken by the small farmer, the private trader, a cooperative, the marketing board or other operator, handlers and transporters, wholesale and retail markets, etc.

WHAT IS FISH POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY?

Post Harvest Technology is concerned with although situations where fish is used as a food commodity, from the point of captured to the point of consumption. It embraces handling, transportation, processing and preservation (chilling, freezing, smoking, salting, drying etc.), distribution, marketing product innovation and development, nutritional considerations, standards and specifications, quality control (Collell, 1979)

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FISHERIES TECHNOLOGY AND POST HARVEST FISH TECHNOLOGY:

SCOPE OR FIELD OF POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY IN BANGLADESH:

Scope or field is the opportunity of being applied of some thing where it has not introduced yet. As we know from the definition of post harvest technology, it includes the following areas or scopes that give the special visualization or study to check the qualitative and quantitative losses of fisheries resources.

Harvesting:

Fishermen of Bangladesh use traditional methods of harvesting fish. So, if we can introduce the modern method of capturing or harvesting fish that may reduce spoilage.

Handling:

The most important factor deciding how they are to be handle after capture is custom and tradition. Good practices in handling the raw material have to ensure that the food will be highly acceptable to the consumers. Special wear and cleanliness may be precaution of handling fish.

Processing and preservation:

There are several ways of preservation and processing which are practiced in Bangladesh. Those are:

• Icing/chilling
• Freezing
• Drying
• Salting
• Smoking
• Canning

Organization:

DoF, FMRT, BAU etc work on PHT to develop skilled manpower.

IMPORTANCE OF POST HARVEST FISHERIES:

Post harvest technology is a new hope in our country. Even it is not fully introduced in our country. But this subject is being performed in various areas of our fisheries sector and develops our country in the following ways:

Supply of protein:

Fresh and processed fish is important source of protein supply. Application of post harvest technology resist the spoilage of fish muscle. So, more fish and fisheries products will reach to the consumers which able to meet the protein demand.

Earning foreign exchange:

Total fisheries production of Bangladesh is about 15-16 lack ton/year (approx). From this production only 40-50% is exported to foreign countries (recent year) earning 1500 crores TK. About 30-40% loss occurs during the post harvest. This loss can be minimized by using the knowledge of post harvest technology. Good quality of fish and fish by-products is ensured by post harvest technology which can be exported and earn a lot of foreign exchange. It is said that Bangladesh earns a lot of foreign exchange by processed fisheries products.

Job opportunity:

Many people can be employed in the fish processing industries and fish collector agencies. Thus post harvest technology provides job opportunity. If new industry is established the opportunity will be greater. So, it can be said that application of fish post harvest technology in our country plays an important role in solving the unemployment problem in Bangladesh.

Supply of better quality of fish product:

The fisheries resource in Bangladesh is enormous. By applying better technology supply of better quality of fish product will be available to the local and foreign markets.

Conversion of fish species into nutritional products:

Post harvest technology gives us the knowledge of conversion of fish species into products for nutritional and industrial uses.

Production of biochemical and pharmaceutical products:

Production of biochemical and pharmaceutical products of economical importance from fish and fish wastage is only possible by applying the knowledge of post harvest technology.

Reduction of post harvest losses:

Application of post harvest technology helps to reduce the loss of production after harvesting. Fresh and processed fish already are making important contribution to the world’s protein supply. The part of post harvest technology has a great diversity in fisheries sector. By studying on various information about post harvest technology in Bangladesh it is found that there are very few researches on post harvest technology in Bangladesh and the research have done mainly on handling but lack of other side. So, Bangladesh faces enormous losses every year. Many developed countries are varying aggressive in post harvest technology. They have modern technology and equipments. Only introducing the modern technology and equipments in post harvest technology can reduce post harvest losses.

Improve or changes of life style:

By helping in additional income post harvest technology can change our common life style. Post harvest technology is also important by the following ways:

-    It helps in the production and use of fisheries by product.

-    It helps to know about the techniques used for maintaining the quality of fish (processing and preservation)

OBJECTIVES OF POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY:

The objectives of post harvest technology in context to Bangladesh are:

• Quality Assurance: During the time of harvest and after harvest (and every step of harvesting, processing and preservation) to ensure the quality. For the export of fish product quality must be raised to international standard.
• Value addition to products: Value added product can be produced by the practice of post harvest technology. If something is added to increase the value of product either chemical (vinegar) or spice may added to increase the taste or for quick consumption of food. So, value addition is another objective of post harvest technology.
• Product Development: Fish are such kind of organism that every part of its body can be used properly. For example, shark skin and cod liver oil are used to manufacture pharmaceutical product or medicine. Bones, skins, fins, scales are used as fish meal. Post harvest technology also deals with the development of by-product of fish.
• Raw product development: Raw product development is another development of post harvest technology. For example; raw shrimp export in foreign countries by beheading, butterflying etc. Fish are exported by filleting, salting etc.
• Technological improvement for production of wholesome nutritious fishery product of high quality to raise national standard of the population.
• Conversion of fish species not directly consume into products for national and industrial uses.
• Development of standards for quality of fish and fisheries products at all levels.
• To use the fish as other nutritive and delicious food product.
• To reduce post harvest loss.
• To meet the consumer demand.

POST HARVEST TECHNIQUES USE IN BANGLADESH:

STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FISH POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY IN BANGLADESH:

For substantial exploitation of the fisheries resources to meet our present demand for food and other by-products and to generate export, we must decide a definite research strategy. To achieve this strategy the following broad points should be taken into consideration to formulate national action program:

• First and foremost there should be well defined national policy relating to utilization of fishery resources.
• Fish post harvest technological research centre at important location should be established.
• A viable action-program to stream line and coordinate research organizations in the light of national need should be taken up.
• A direct communication between research organizations and the private industries should be established for development of quality products.
• Private entrepreneurs should be encouraged to finance research projects.
• International cooperation among the scientists should be encouraging through exchange program.
• Fisheries graduate should be engaged in different fish processing and fish by-product processing industries to ensure quality products.
• Apply modern technology
• Establish training centre
• Developed processing centre
• Strictly apply the rules and regulation relating PHT

RELEVANT RESEARCH IN POST HARVEST FISHERIES:

• Find out the composition of fish and self life of different fish species.
• Processing technique of crab, mollusk and other economical important fisheries item.
• Marine fisheries drying technique.
• Development of harvesting technique.
• Development of marketing technique.
• Extension of HACCP system.
• Utilization of by-products.
• Improvement of salting, drying technique.
• Development of traditional method of small scale production of dry fish.
• Development of chemical and organoleptic test.
• Selection of packaging materials to extend their shelf life.
• Unwanted contaminants (antibiotics) in frozen product.

CONCLUSION:

In a word, Fish Post Harvest Technology is parts and parcel in modern fisheries production. So, to develop culture system or to increase production, Post Harvest Technology must be ensured at first.

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