Evaluation of Traditional and Solar Fish Drying Systems towards Enhancing Fish Storage and Preservation in Nigeria: Abeokuta Local Governments as Case Study

Abstract

This paper evaluates the traditional and solar fish drying systems in Nigeria. The results ‎reveal that traditional methods still remain the predominant fish processing and drying methods ‎employed in the country. The paper also discusses the advantages of using direct application of ‎solar thermal energy employing some means of collecting solar radiation with the result that ‎elevated temperatures and, in turn, lower relative humidity is achieved for drying fish in ‎developing countries, like Nigeria. The use of solar dryer is an important step toward improving ‎the traditional fish drying technology. Solar dryers can produce well-dried and dust free ‎products. The contact between fish and flies which is virtually impossible to eliminate under ‎traditional technique of fish smoking could be considerably eliminated if solar dryer are used. ‎Three different types of solar dryers for drying fish were reviewed. Emphasis is based on the ‎product quality and the economics of a suitable choice of design of the dryer, for improved ‎drying of the important local fish species; over the local traditional sun-drying and smoking ‎methods in Nigeria.