Dried Small Indigenous Fish are the Pride of Assam: The Story of Suman Haldar

Abstract

In Assam, India, fish is a dietary staple for 99 per cent of the population. The demand for fish products has led to the import of dried fish from various regions. The intricate supply chain is centred around the Jagiroad market, Asia's largest dried fish market. Suman Halder, a 35-year-old traditional fisher, owns a small dried fish retail stall in Maligaon. He sells over a dozen varieties of dried fish, including popular choices like Puthi and Moa, sourced from the Jagiroad wholesale market. Suman, who refers to dried fish as 'Hutki,' caters to the high demand for dried small indigenous fish (SIS) like Puthi, Moa, Lau puthi, Koroti, and Hingara. He notes the historical prevalence of SIS in his village and their significance in daily meals during his childhood.