THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Batangas, in partnership with the City Government of Tanauan through its City Agriculture Office, upgraded the fish drying process of the Tanauan City Fishermen Marketing Cooperative (TCFMC), to improve the quality of their dried fish products.
The technology-based upgrading was made possible through a community-based project grant from DOST-Batangas to the cooperative, which provided them with fish dryer, an 8-layer storage rack, forceps, and basins. As part of the project, cooperative members were also trained in proper fish handling, drying techniques, and product packaging to ensure the quality and safety of their dried fish products.
Experts from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Mr. Joseph Ryan Ligsa and Ms. Erica Lopez, facilitated the technology transfer training on May22, 2024, at the cooperative's production facility in Brgy. Ambulong, Tanauan City, Batangas. During the training, various fish species, processing methods, drying time requirements, fish value-adding techniques, and market opportunities were discussed to equip the cooperative members with the necessary knowledge and skills to improve their fish processing capabilities and increase their income. Tilapia, bangus, ruho, and dugong, the common fish species caught in Taal Lake, were among those used during the training.
A discussion on basic food hygiene practices was also included to emphasize the importance of maintaining sanitation throughout the processing and packaging stages. The cooperative members were encouraged to implement these practices to ensure their dried fish products meet quality standards and are safe for consumption.
Hands-on demonstrations were conducted to show proper techniques in filleting, deboning, and drying fish to preserve its quality and taste. Additionally, the cooperative members were trained on using the fish dryer to maximize the efficiency of the drying process and reduce the risk of contamination.
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