Enhancing Quality of Dried Fish Products through Effective Demonstration of Raised Rack Tent Dryer for Human Food in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

In the study area, the most economically important fish species are Nile tilapia, cat fish and barbus species, respectively. Among fish species, barbus fish species are underutilize, because the filet (meat) of labeobarbus fish has tiny bones that difficult for consumption. The objective of this study was to demonstrate raised rack tent dryer and assess farmers’ perceptions on raised rack tent dryer. In the first stage, Tanqua-Abergelle wereda were purposively selected based on theirpotential for white fish and availability of water for fish production. In the second stage, from 19 rural kebelles and one semi-urban kebelle, four kebelle were selected in collaboration with researchers and extension experts. In the final stage, 95 participants of whom 31.58% women were purposively selected based on their interest in working with research, formal membership in fisheries organizations and their experience in drying fish through local methods. The results of this study revealed, that the majority of participants want the raised rack in general and modified raised rack in particular because the labor intensity is reduced (80%), construction materials are easily available (86.67%), construction complexity is limited (76.67%), and easy implementation procedures (93.33%). Regardless the additional cost incur the raised rack tent dryer is very important in keeping the fish drying process hygiene and reduce post harvest loss. Therefore, Support in supplying durable raised rack dryer is very important, and market linkage with potential dried fish user is very crucial in the area.