In pursuit of ambitious plans to tap the enormous potential for value added fish products in the market, a group of 50 fisherwomen from across the State are undergoing hands-on training at the Fisheries Research Station at Palair in Kusumanchi mandal here. The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)-sponsored three-day training programme on fish processing and value addition’, which began on Tuesday, opened up skill development opportunities for fisherwomen. The organisers have roped in the services of P. Bhagya Laxmi, a fish products trainer from Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, for the training, which has been designed to help the participants get hands-on training in preparation of a range of scrumptious fish products such as fish cutlets, fish wafers, fish balls and fish pickles laced with mangoes in hygienic conditions. The main objective is to impart the requisite skills to the fisherwomen to enable them to start small scale enterprises and sell value added fish products to tread the path of financial self-reliance, said Dr G. Vidyasagar Reddy, senior scientist and head of Fisheries Research Station. It also helps the participants gain deeper insight into fish processing, packaging, storage and other aspects that are vital to a successful enterprise. Thanks to rising health consciousness, there is a burgeoning demand for fish and fish-based products known for their nutritional value, said K. Swaroopa, president of Yellandu-based Matsya Mithra Mahila Sangham from Bhadradri-Kothagudem district. Value addition is imperative for augmenting income for our cooperative societies, she said. She added that the skill development programme is a key initiative that will motivate the fisherwomen to open outlets to sell value added fish products by availing loans and pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities for economic empowerment.