The mandate of CSIR-FRI is to conduct applied research, through laboratory and pilot scale investigations, into problems of food processing and preservation, storage, marketing, distribution and utilization in order to assist the local food industries to improve on and diversify their operations. It is also mandated to advise government on its food policy.
CSIR-FRI is engaged in Design and Construction of Food Research Institute Improved Smoking Oven (FRIISMO); Comparative studies of FRIISMO and Chorkor Smoker; and training of processors and stakeholders in fishing villages in Ghana.
Summary of project’s goal, objectives and activities are: a. The goal and objectives in the design and construction of FRIISMO is to reduce firewood consumption during smoking of fish as observed with the chorkor smoker; to improve the health of fish processors, reduce drudgery, produce more attractive fish and improve socioeconomic impact of the communities. Activities included design of FRIISMO, construction of FRIISMO and Chorkor ovens in fishing communities in the Greater Accra and Central regions; and training the fish processors in smoking fish using FRIISMO.
b. The goal and objectives in the comparative studies of FRIISMO and Chorkor smoker were to establish relevant parameters needed for investment decision-making by prospective users of the technology; to highlight the advantages of FRIISMO over Chorkor in terms of pro-health attributes. Activities involved smoking same quantities of fish in both ovens and comparing the amount of firewood use, yield of products, drudgery, polyaromatic hydrocarbon content of fish from the two ovens. Inclusive is the comparison of the investment and profits from the two ovens; as well as the available time for other domestic chores/commercial activities while smoking fish.
Contact Information
The project aims at disseminating the technology of FRIISMO to other fishing communities along the coastal areas of Ghana and other countries in Africa where fishing activities are carried out. Target communities in both rural and urban areas will be used to improve their socio-economic status and health. The scope would involve the construction of improved fish smoking ovens in these traget communities. The fish processors would be trained in fish smoking and preservation as well as in skills of storage and marketing.
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
The organization uses participatory rural appraisal skills; and involves individuals in the planning, implementation of the projects. The communities are involved in decision making at every stage. At the end of the project, the structures are placed in the care of the communities so that more care is taken of the ovens to bring dividend to the communities.
My interest in market development is in the area of sales of the fish so as to fetch profit for the processors. Thus they are taught improved ways of smoking the fish to make it look attractive, wholesome. Also good packaging technologies are taught. Good marketing centres are located and the fish displayed hygienically to attract consumers.
The technology of the improved ovens developed involve standardization during the design stage that produce uniformly smoked and attractive finished products. During the smoking process, documentation of smoking parameters are taken, i.e. yield, fuelwood consumption, tar deposits, drudgery, health hazards, product’s quality, stability, comparative cost etc.
The stakeholders have endorsed the technology and attested to the reduction of inhalation of smoke. Also the non existence of smoke in their eyes and clothes during smoking. This is due to the positioning of a chimney in the structure to draw thge smoke high into the environment and away from the immediate surrounding of the oven.
Relevant Publications or Studies
None noted
Margaret Ottah Atikpo and Daniel Blay. 2007. Comparative studies of FRI Smoker and Chorkor smoking oven. FAO/FRI Technical report. PROJECT NUMBER: PR 36091
Our Contribution to the Partnership
In the partnership, the organization will provide expertise in the construction of the ovens, dissemination of the technology to different coujntries and training of the processors in different skills.
