South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"

By Awan Achiek
The Women’s Agency for Resilience and Transformation (WART) with support from the Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN FAO) have commenced training of 30 individuals on fish handling, hygiene and processing in Torit town in a bid to improve fish quality
The two-day training co-organized by women-led organization, WART, with support from the U.N. FAO in partnership with Eastern Equatoria State Ministry of Animal Resources was attended by both women and men.
Dr. Isaac Aleardo Paul, Director General for the State Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries said during the opening of the training on Tuesday that the training will equip fisher women and men with skills in smoking, selling and packaging fish in transparent boxes and good labeling.
He emphasized the importance of improved methods of preserving fish, adding that proper preservation benefits the owner of the product.
Paul added that the training will equip the participants with knowledge on fish processing and also to create market linkages.
“You know, fish is one of the commodities that bring income. When you produce quality fish of course, you will get a market,” he said.
For his part, Bida Alfred, Project Assistant for Women’s Agency for Resilience and Transformation, said participants will be equipped with practical skills to handle fish, preserve, smoke and salting.
“We are conducting training on fish preservation and handling, and a bit of hygiene to fishery groups in Torit,” said Alfred.
Meanwhile, Victor Onen Chan, Head of Torit FAO Field Office said the training will offer opportunities to participants to learn practical skills on packaging of fish and labeling for markets.
“The government of South Sudan got FAO to implement its activities and FAO in turn worked to see that the actual implementations of these particular activities are up to date,” said Onen.
Oful William, one of the participants said he has already acquired skills in proper handling of fish.
“We have learned how to earn a living by catching fish, because fishing activities have become so important to the people,” said William.