Research Article
Tilahun Genet Abdi
Abstract
The study was conducted in the year 2009 to 2013 in different major sites of Oromia water bodies. These sites include lakes and reservoirs found in Abaya, Finchawa, Gilgalgibe, Koka, Langano, Malkawakana and Zeway. This research study focuses on fish smoking technology, fish drying using simple tent dryer, fish meal technology and fish cage retaining. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was conducted to assess the capture and culture fisheries post-harvest technologies information and communication support for resource exploitation, demand for information, opportunities and constraints of fishermen’s needs in the study area. The result indicated that simple drying using tent dryer at Abaya Lake, Langano, Finchawa and Gilgelgibe reservoirs are suitable and productive for the local fishermen. On the other hand, fish smoking at Gilgelgibe reservoir was not successful due to the unavailability of bricks made from mud in the area. At Koka reservoir fish meal technology was effective and well accepted by the locals. At Langano Lake fish smoking and fish meal technology were also suitable and successful. Moreover, fish smoking at Melkawakana reservoir and Zeway Lake, including fish drying using simple tent dryer were successful and in addition fish cage retaining were successful and recognized by the beneficiaries as possible source of income thus, ready for advance scaling at Melkawakana reservoir.