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Policy recommendations and smallholder guidelines in improved fish smoking systems












​Kennedy Bomfeh, K., Jacxsens, L., De Meulenaer, B. and Kofi Amoa-Awua, W. 2019. Policy recommendations and smallholder guidelines for improved fish smoking systems. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Circular no. 1178. Rome, FAO. 36 pp.




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    FAO-Thiaroye processing technique: towards adopting improved fish smoking systems in the context of benefits, trade-offs and policy implications from selected developing countries 2019
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    More than 60 percent of global production of smoked fishery products occurs in Africa and Asia, highlighting their tremendous significance in food and nutrition security and as a vehicle for livelihood support in these regions. However, prevailing processing technologies entail significant deleterious health implications for both processors and consumers. The main hazard relates to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known to have carcinogenic potential. In response to the PAH challenge and leveraging on the Codex Alimentarius Code of Practice guidelines for preventing their occurrence in smoked and dried products, the FAO-Thiaroye fish processing technique (FTT) was developed under a collaborative research approach between FAO and a fisheries institution in Senegal. To date, the FTT has been introduced in 16 countries. The technique addresses the PAH problem, and yields products that comply with international limits on the hazard, while fostering many social, economic and environmental benefits. However, experience from some African and Asian countries points to the need for a context-driven balance that ensures that the gains associated with its use can be realized without making expensive compromises, especially in terms of fisheries resources status and trade dynamics. Policy and regulatory frameworks need to be informed by a risk-based approach and supportive of consistent benchmarking and differentiation of FTT products. This document reviews the lessons from those countries, and makes the case for a hard, evidence-based, policy backbone to safeguard the sustainable, eco-friendly supply of safe smoked (and dried) fishery products to support food security, particularly in the developing world.
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    Profitability and trade-offs in the use of the FAO-Thiaroye processing technique (FTT) in Ghana 2023
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    The FAO-Thiaroye Processing Technique (FTT) was introduced in Ghana in 2014 following an earlier initiative by FAO, in collaboration with the Centre National de Formation des Techniciens de Pêche et de l’Aquaculture (National Training Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture Technicians, CNFTPA) in Senegal, to reduce post-harvest losses in small-scale fisheries and support the production of healthy fishery products. Since its introduction to Ghana, and with continuous collaboration from the Fisheries Commission of Ghana, FAO has constructed or provided assistance for the construction of FTT units for 13 fish processor groups and 15 individuals in four regions of Ghana – Greater Accra, Central, Volta, Western and Western North. A gap analysis was undertaken to understand the extent of, and the barriers to, the adoption, development, introduction and dissemination of the FTT in Ghana. The assessment combined both desk survey and field study of some traditional and FTT smoking facilities. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in the study. The adoption of the FTT was determined and data from field surveys was analysed using simple graphs. From the results of the cost–benefit analysis, it was deduced that the FTT is better placed and superior to the Chorkor kilns in terms of economic profitability in ensuring the well-being of both processor and consumer; and financial profitability and return on investment. With the above inferences from the findings and lessons learned from visits to some of the FTT processing facilities, key recommendations were made and it is anticipated that these will enable future investments and the adoption and wider use of the FTT by more processors.
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    Study on the profitability of fish smoking with FTT-Thiaroye kilns in Côte d’Ivoire 2020
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    The FAO-Thiaroye fish processing technique (FTT) was developed in 2008–2009 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in collaboration with the Centre National de Formation des Techniciens des Pêches et de l’Aquaculture in Senegal. The goal in developing this technique was to solve many issues inherent to traditional fish smoking methods in terms of health, safety and the environment. After the FTT was developed in Senegal, many other countries in sub-Saharan Africa have adopted this new method, while others are considering doing so. Using Côte d’Ivoire as the benchmark country for introducing the FTT in small-scale fisheries, this study was based on the assumption that it would be risky to increase the number of these kilns without first establishing their profitability. To do this, the field study combined qualitative and quantitative methods with institutional partners in Abidjan and with fish processors at three of the four pilot FTT processing facilities (Abobo-Doumé, Braffedon and Guessabo).

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