Women involved in drying Kapenta in Mpulungu District have thanked the Fish for African Caribbean and Pacific Countries Project (FISH4ACP) for supporting them with a solar-powered dryer, saying it will help improve the quality of their Kapenta.
Twazwane Women’s group chairperson Callen Nakazwe said the equipment will provide a more reliable and hygienic way to dry Kapenta, a small fish that is an important source of food and income in the area.
Mpulungu, Ms Nakazwe said traditional drying methods have for a long time left the Kapenta exposed to dust, insects and changing weather conditions, which may affect its quality.
She disclosed that the solar-powered dryer is expected to help protect the fish during the drying process and produce a cleaner, more consistent product.
‘’We are very grateful for the welcome support because it is a practical investment in our work and livelihoods as improved drying will reduce losses and help us preserve more of the Kapenta as we process it,’’ she disclosed
Ms Nakazwe explained that better-quality fish will also attract buyers and strengthen the women’s ability to compete in local markets especially during the rainy season periods when weather conditions make open-air processing difficult.
She added that the dryer will make their work more efficient while helping them maintain better standards for the Kapenta fish they sell.
The women also expressed hope that the equipment will encourage more people in their communities to adopt improved fish-handling practices.
Ms Nakazwe said they were grateful for the support and pledged to use the dryer responsibly and also called for continued training and support to help them operate and maintain the equipment effectively.
The women said the solar-powered dryer offers an opportunity to improve Kapenta quality, increase the value of their work and support their livelihoods.
FISH4ACP supports sustainable and inclusive development in fisheries and aquaculture value chains.
Its assistance to the women is intended to strengthen Kapenta processing in Mpulungu District.
Loading read count...