The Nigerian Stored Products Research Instiute (NSPRI), Ilorin, Kwara State, the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Lagos and the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, (NIFFR) New Bussa, Niger State have developed new technologies that will go a long way in enhancing fish farmers productivity and profitability as well as prevent post harvest losses.

According to a report obtained by our correspondent at the Port Harcourt office of NSPRI, Tuesday, the technologies include catfish cross breeding, post-harvest processing and marketing and sourcing local contents to substitute imported raw materials in fish feeds, amongst others.

The report indicated that at the presentation of reports to the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP), the facilitators of the research that produced the technologies at the Ilorin NSPRI recently showcased their break through.

NIOMR presented detachable fish smoking kiln enabling hygienic collection of oil from smoked fish. The Executive Director of NIOMR and Team Leader, Dr Gbola Akande explained that the kiln was capable of offering advanced processing techniques that provides process with better working conditions.

He said it also enables users to produce good quality and highly competitive smoked dried fish for local and international markets. The kiln uses saw dust briquettes or charcoal and has a solar powered fan for even distribution of heat within the oven.

Similarly, the NSPRI which product was presented by Dr F.F. Olayemi showcased a detachable fish smoking kiln capable of using electricity, gas or charcoal, adding that the fish processor automatically has the three sources once purchased.

According to the report, the three models of the smoking processors developed for WAAPP are effective in drying catfish to safe moisture content as well as in fish oil collection.

The electrically powered kiln has the highest drying rate due to a stable temperature profile in the dryer.

It also developed a solar dryer tent for stock fish, which output can compete favorably with the imported stockfish in terms of nutritional and sensory qualities. Also, NSPRI developed packing materials for marketing of processed fish according to the team leader.

"The study aims at developing effective packaging for shelf life extension in processed fish through the development of vaccum and composite packaging materials using locally sourced materials," Olayemi said.