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The Hindu
a day ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Why solar dried epipelagic fish has 70% protein, only 12% salt and long shelf life
If fresh fish is already a rich source of protein (17-19%) depending on the fish variety, dry fish with up to 70% protein is a far superior source of protein. Besides high protein content, dry fish is also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acid, calcium and iron. Since the protein content is high, a substantial amount of protein requirement can be met by consuming just 5 grams of dry fish. Epipelagic fish such as mackerel, sardine, anchovy, and ribbon fish are chosen for fish drying. 'Dry fish is a great source of protein. It can be a good supplement for Anganwadi and midday meals, especially in coastal fish-eating communities,' says Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of MSSRF. One of the major drawbacks of traditional drying of fish is the high salt content of over 30%, far exceeding the FSSAI limit of 15%. Together with high salt content, traditionally dried fish is often unhygienic by virtue of being dried in the open, and has a short shelf life of about two months. Researchers at M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai and Fish for all Research and Training Centre at Poompuhar, Tamil Nadu, which is a MSSRF hub of innovation, have turned to solar drying to successfully address these pain points. Cutting down salt content 'The salt content of solar-dried fish is about 12%. FSSAI has set a limit of 10-15% salt content for salted dried fish,' says Ms. N.A. Anbu Vahini, Lead, Training and Development at MMSRF, Chennai. 'Only about 3% salt is added to fresh fish, which becomes 12% when the fish gets dried. Traditionally dried fish has over 30% salt content.' Fresh anchovies from the sea naturally contain around 1-2% salt. After drying, even when no salt is added, the natural salt concentration in the fish increases to around 5-7% due to moisture loss. 'We have also studied the shelf life of unsalted fish dried under hygienic conditions and packed in aluminium foil. This method has provided a shelf life of up to nine months. However, according to FSSAI and CODEX standards, dried fish must have a minimum salt content of 12% to meet compliance requirements,' she says. Doubling the protein content If the protein content in traditionally dried fish is about 35-40%, it goes up to 70% in solar dried fish. 'The low protein content in traditionally dried fish is because of high moisture content,' Ms. Vahini says. The main reason why the moisture content is high in traditionally dried fish is because the fish is not dried fully to reduce the moisture content below 16% as specified by FSSAI. The moisture content is reduced from about 70% to about 35-40% during summer and over 45% in winter in traditionally dried fish. In contrast, moisture content in solar dried fish is 5-15% to achieve higher shelf life. But up to 16% moisture is permissible. 'When the moisture content is high the shelf life is short. This is the reason why traditionally dried fish has a short shelf life of about two months,' Ms. Vahini says. 'The solar dried fish has a shelf life of nine to 12 months when moisture content is 5-7, and nine months when the moisture content is about 10-15%.' Even during peak summer, it takes about 22 hours to dry anchovy fish with 18% moisture using open sun drying, whereas solar drying takes only nine hours and reduces the moisture to just 6%. The open sun-drying method relies on ambient conditions of 34 degree C and a relative humidity of 54%, whereas solar drying increases the temperature to 55-60 degree C and reduces the humidity to about 17%. This quickens the drying process, she says. In winter, it takes about a day to dry using a solar drier, achieving 23% moisture content, compared to three days with 39% moisture content in the case of traditional open sun drying. 'The solar drying method is 1.2 to 2.4 times faster compared with traditional sun drying, depending on the weather conditions,' Ms. Vahini says. Importance of packaging Shelf life depends not only on the moisture content but also on how the dry fish is stored post-drying. While no packaging material is used to store dried fish in the traditional method, people using solar driers use aluminium foil pouches or HDPE tray boxes to pack the dry fish. 'Solar dried fish is stored in the containers and then packed using aluminium foil pouches. Vacuum packaging will make it airtight but then we don't recommend it because it's costly for small-scale fishers. Aluminium foil solves the problem when it is properly sealed. When correctly packed, the moisture content is about 5-7% and we have achieved 12 months of shelf life,' Ms. Vahini says. Proper selection of fresh fish, thorough cleaning using potable water, solar drying, and packaging using aluminium foil ensure that the dried fish is hygienic Another key reason traditional open sun drying results in inferior dried fish is the use of leftover or unsold fresh fish, rather than fish specifically selected for drying. In some cases, even poor quality or spoiled fish is used. Fisherwomen have now been trained on all aspects of the process, including the importance of using fresh, high-quality fish for drying, she says. Dry fish has a stronger smell than even fresh fish but can be reduced if care is taken at every step of the drying and packaging process. 'The smell is greatly reduced when fish is washed properly prior to drying, following the correct salting process, maintaining hygienic conditions during the drying process, by increasing the rate of drying, reducing the amount of moisture in the dried fish, and proper packaging post-drying,' Ms. Vahini says. 'Smell can be further reduced if the dry fish is powdered.' Solar drying not only accelerates the drying process but also ensures superior product quality, lower moisture content, reduced microbial contamination, and enhanced nutritional retention. Higher profits According to Dr. S. Velvizhi from Fish for All Research and Training Centre, MSSRF, Poompuhar, traditionally dried anchovy sells at Rs.200-250 per kg, while solar dried anchovy sells for Rs.450-600 per kg. If the traditionally dried anchovy fish is bigger in size, it sells for Rs.300-400 per kg, while solar dried fish sells for Rs.750-800 per kg. MSSRF has trained the fishing community in Tamil Nadu around the Poompuhar region, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, and Rameshwaram on every aspect of fish drying starting with selecting fish for drying to packaging. Besides housing a large solar drier at its centre in Poompuhar, MSSRF has also supplied 50 mini, portable solar dryers with a capacity of 25-30 kg per day to women in Mudasalodai in Cuddalore district so they can dry fish in their own place instead of coming to the centre. Dr. Velvizhi says the Tamil Nadu government wants MSSRF to replicate the project in some fishing villages in the State.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Focus must be on climate resilience for benefit of farmers, fishermen, says Soumya Swaminathan
Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), said the creation of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) was a visionary step, and over the last 44 years, it has made some considerable accomplishments. Speaking at the 44th Foundation Day celebrations of NABARD, she said both the MSSRF and NABARD were coming together for the 'Climate Smart Village' project. 'Weather fluctuations due to climate change are here to stay. So, we have to focus on climate resilience, especially for [the benefit of] farmers and fishermen. We have just started a programme called Climate Smart Village in Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai. We look at how to optimally use natural resources and how to plan for the future,' she added. Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said agriculture's share in Tamil Nadu's Gross Domestic Product has been decreasing, particularly, as there had been a surge in electronics goods manufacturing over the last few years. 'It is vital for the health of society that the right kind of support is provided at all levels of the farming spectrum, across the plains and hills, to enable small and medium farm organisations to thrive,' he added. R. Anand, Chief General Manager of NABARD Tamil Nadu Regional Office, said over ₹50,000 crore of funds had been disbursed in Tamil Nadu in the financial year 2024-25 for building infrastructure and agricultural refinance. He noted that this was the highest quantum of funds disbursed by NABARD to any State in the country. V. Srinivasan, General Manager, Reserve Bank of India, and P.S, Harikrishnaraj, General Manager, NABARD, Tamil Nadu Regional Office, also spoke.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Covid cases may surge every 6 to 8 months: Soumya Swaminathan
Trichy: People should follow Covid guidelines as the virus is likely to stay and surge in months, chairperson of MSSRF Chairperson and advisor to Union ministry of health and family welfare Dr Soumya Swaminathan said on Monday. Soumya Swaminathan participated in the launch of the livelihood support programme for small-scale fishermen at MSSRF Fish For All Research and Training Center in Poompuhar, Mayiladuthurai district. Responding to questions from reporters about the spread of Covid-19, Soumya Swaminathan said, "There are possibilities of Covid-19 surge every six to eight months. The virus is here to stay with us, just like the common cold. People should be careful and follow Covid-19 guidelines." Stating that the virus spreading among people is likely to cause mild effects, Soumya Swaminathan said, "Elders and those with underlying health conditions need to be more careful, however." On Covid vaccination , Soumya Swaminathan said the vaccines were safe and are less likely to cause side effects any more. "Those who had contracted Covid earlier, may have reactions to comorbidities," she added. Earlier, MSSRF began an initiative for five villages in Mayiladuthurai and Cuddalore districts. Head of the centre, S Velvizhi stated that training and development activities would be conducted for 1,500 families in the next three years. Addressing MSSRF's upcoming projects, Soumya Swaminathan said, "We are starting new research on the impact of prolonged heat and humidity on the health of fisherfolk in coastal districts." She added that MSSRF is developing an early warning tool integrated with artificial intelligence for fisherfolk to warn them about the health impact. She further stated that fisherfolk have a high possibility of high blood pressure and diabetes due to exposure to salty wind and consumption of salty food, according to surveys. "People should have a check-up once a year and keep their blood pressure under control," she said.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Covid likely to surge, people should follow guidelines: Soumya Swaminathan
Trichy: People should follow Covid guidelines as the virus is likely to stay and surge in months, chairperson of MSSRF Chairperson and advisor to Union ministry of health and family welfare Dr Soumya Swaminathan said on Monday. Soumya Swaminathan participated in the launch of the livelihood support programme for small-scale fishermen at MSSRF Fish For All Research and Training Center in Poompuhar, Mayiladuthurai district. Responding to questions from reporters about the spread of Covid-19, Soumya Swaminathan said, "There are possibilities of Covid-19 surge every six to eight months. The virus is here to stay with us, just like the common cold. People should be careful and follow Covid-19 guidelines." Stating that the virus spreading among people is likely to cause mild effects, Soumya Swaminathan said, "Elders and those with underlying health conditions need to be more careful, however." On Covid vaccination, Soumya Swaminathan said the vaccines were safe and are less likely to cause side effects any more. "Those who had contracted Covid earlier, may have reactions to comorbidities," she added. Earlier, MSSRF began an initiative for five villages in Mayiladuthurai and Cuddalore districts. Head of the centre, S Velvizhi stated that training and development activities would be conducted for 1,500 families in the next three years. Addressing MSSRF's upcoming projects, Soumya Swaminathan said, "We are starting new research on the impact of prolonged heat and humidity on the health of fisherfolk in coastal districts." She added that MSSRF is developing an early warning tool integrated with artificial intelligence for fisherfolk to warn them about the health impact. She further stated that fisherfolk have a high possibility of high blood pressure and diabetes due to exposure to salty wind and consumption of salty food, according to surveys. "People should have a check-up once a year and keep their blood pressure under control," she said.
India Today
27-05-2025
- Climate
- India Today
Shift in rain patterns, weather big concern as climate change hits India
India is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to projected climate change impacts, with heat stress emerging as the single largest concern. The prospect of extreme heat and heat stress arises from the widespread, rapid changes in ocean temperatures combined with steadily rising atmospheric heat India Heat Summit 2025 is deliberating on the issue of rising temperatures and shared solutions. The summit will also advise the government on long-term measures to deal with its deliberation is also focusing on issues related to unseasonal rainfall and the very frequent heavy rainfall occurring in the western parts of India, including the record-breaking rains in Mumbai on Monday—breaching a hundred-year record. Environmentalists are concerned about such frequent incidents of high-intensity rain occurring in a short Swaminathan, environmentalist and Chairperson of MSSRF, told India Today that Urban flooding is rising due to multiple factors—partly climate change, and partly poor planning. While total rainfall hasn't changed much over the decade, it's now falling in fewer hours, making it harder for cities to cope. "Yes, climate change has intensified rainfall — but it's also a planning failure. We need to rethink urban design. We can't keep building the same way in Delhi, the Himalayas, and coastal areas. That approach must change," she Chitale, environmentalist at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, points out that erratic rainfall and early monsoons aren't entirely new phenomena—they've been observed over many years. However, what has changed is the intensity and concentration of rainfall in short show that regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, central Maharashtra, and Karnataka have seen rainfall increase by up to 30% over the last decade compared to the previous 30-year average. This rise isn't spread evenly across the season; instead, it is marked by short, intense downpours, such as those seen recently in Mumbai—an outcome of increasingly erratic monsoon stresses the need for proactive prevention through robust early warning systems. He highlights India's ongoing efforts, such as the Monsoon Mission weather forecast model, as important steps forward. But he adds that what's crucial now is scaling these systems across urban India with detailed observation networks to provide timely alerts and minimize damage from such extreme agree that these extreme weather patterns are a direct result of climate change, but also point to significant governance gaps. Aarti Khosla from Climate Trends noted that warming oceans are carrying more moisture, leading to more intense and erratic rainfall. She emphasised that cities are ill-prepared for such events, lacking resilient infrastructure for transport, public health, and emergency response. According to her, the early onset of the southwest monsoon, as seen in Mumbai, is a warning sign—and India must urgently integrate weather data with urban planning to protect vulnerable to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN's climate science body, India is projected to be one of the most vulnerable regions to escalating heatwaves, humid heat stress, and other extreme weather events in a 1.5C warmer world—threats that could bring irreversible over 90% of its workforce employed in the informal sector, in the world's most densely populated country, India faces heightened exposure to both the physical dangers and economic risks of rising heat recent years, the country has experienced record-breaking temperatures year after year, with early summer arriving as soon as February or March. Heatwaves have become more frequent, prolonged, and many areas, temperatures have soared close to 50C in recent years—leading to increased illness and loss of life, especially among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and outdoor spans five distinct climatic zones—tropical, arid, semi-arid, temperate, and alpine—all of which are now experiencing severe disruptions due to rising the north, accelerated glacial melt and glacial lake formation are intensifying flood risks. Forest fires and water scarcity are putting pressure on hill ecosystems in states like arid and semi-arid regions are seeing erratic rainfall patterns, upending agricultural cycles. Traditional climate zones are flipping: flood-prone areas now face droughts, and vice India's 7,500-km coastline, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are witnessing increased cyclogenesis—leading to stronger, more frequent storms, saltwater intrusion, humid heatwaves, affected fisheries, and rising sea level studies show a clear spatial-temporal shift in heatwave occurrences across India, with rising trends in three major regions: north-western, central, and south-central to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the most affected states and union territories include Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and economic and social toll of these extreme conditions is enormous. The Reserve Bank of India estimates that extreme heat and humidity could lead to a 4.5% loss in GDP by 2030 due to reduced labour in monsoon patterns and rising temperatures could further reduce GDP by 2.8% by 2030, potentially lowering living standards for nearly half the population by effective mitigation policies, India could face annual GDP losses of 3-10% by climate-induced extremes intensify, it's critical to assess temperature-related risks across key sectors like energy, industry, agriculture, and urban May 2024, India's power consumption surged by 15%, reaching a record peak demand of 250.07 GW, driven by extreme heat and surpassing all previous temperatures have increased the demand for residential cooling, industrial operations, and irrigation, making India more reliant on thermal power to meet its growing energy project a 9-10% increase in energy demand in 2025, driven in part by a sharp rise in air conditioner sales—highlighting both the rising energy demand and the growing disparity in generation to transmission to distribution, high temperatures strain energy systems. Experts note that as a conductor heats up, its molecules vibrate more, increasing resistance and reducing became evident in 2022, when India experienced its worst electricity shortage in over six years, leading to power cuts in homes and industries. For the manufacturing sector, such supply disruptions can severely impact production timelines and raise impact of heat stress extends far beyond the power grid. According to the World Bank, over 34 million jobs in India could be at risk due to heat exposure. Between 2001 and 2020, India lost around 259 billion hours of labour—worth US$ 624 billion (INR 46 lakh crore) annually—due to extreme heat and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)—the backbone of the economy—are especially vulnerable to productivity declines, infrastructure damage, supply chain disruptions, and job 2022, heatwaves forced India to ban wheat exports after extreme temperatures slashed yields—highlighting the vulnerability of both the agriculture sector and global food supply scientists say heat stress has reduced rice yields by 15–20% across different to NDMA, broader impacts of heat stress on agriculture include declining soil moisture, water insecurity, increasing pest varieties, crop wilting, reduced food quality and nutrition, lower milk production, and impacts on animal growing threat of heat stress calls for urgent mid- and long-term strategies—both structural and non-structural—to limit economic and social fallout. Heat Action Plans remain India's main policy tool but require stronger coordination, greater investment, and cross-sector build resilience, India will need investment in cooling infrastructure, better urban design, early warning systems, and adaptive social protection. The real challenge lies in not just recognising heat as an economic threat, but also in mobilising targeted finance to tackle it and protect challenge is unique: it must build heat resilience while sustaining economic growth to create jobs and lift millions out of poverty. This calls for coordinated solutions from national, state, and local governments, industries, and Heat Conference being organised by Climate Trends aims to bring together these stakeholders to address what may be India's single greatest climate Watch
