MPEDA Concludes Second National Skill Olympiad on Seafood Value Addition
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) successfully concluded the second edition of the National Skill Olympiad on Seafood Value Addition during Seafood Expo Bharat 2026 in Kochi. The competition featured ten trained seafood processing professionals who demonstrated their culinary skills and technical expertise in preparing value-added seafood products for international markets.
P. Surya Bhaskar of Devi Fisheries Ltd., Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, emerged as the winner, receiving a cash prize of ₹1,00,000. Muthu Kumaran of Theva & Co., Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, secured the second position with ₹75,000, while Ms Sagarika Sardar of SS Seafoods Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata, West Bengal, and Ms Barasarani Jena of Sabri Food Products Pvt. Ltd., Bhubaneswar, Odisha, secured the third and fourth positions with prizes of ₹50,000 and ₹25,000 respectively.
In preparation for the event, MPEDA conducted 50 Seafood Value Addition Training Programmes across both east and west coasts of India, training more than 2,500 seafood processing workers and professionals. The regional qualification rounds were held in Mumbai for the West Coast Zone and Visakhapatnam for the East Coast Zone, with the ten finalists selected from participants on June 30.
During the grand finale, participants were required to prepare six specific value-added seafood products in high demand internationally: Nobashi Shrimp, Breaded Butterfly Shrimp, Cooked Peeled Deveined Tail-On (PDTO) Shrimp, Marinated Shrimp Skewers, Breaded Squid Rings, and Fish Fillets. The competition was evaluated by a jury comprising Dr Sarika K. (Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIFT, Kochi), Dr Nithin C.T. (Processing and Quality Assurance Supervisor, NIFPHATT, Kochi), Shri Francis Assisi (Production Manager, Parayil Seafood Pvt. Ltd.), Shri Jayan Jacob (General Manager, Sandhya Aqua Exports Pvt. Ltd.), and Shri Vijayakrishna (General Manager, VKM Foods). Participants were assessed on technical skill, hygiene, precision, presentation, and finished product quality.
MPEDA Chairman Shri P. Jawahar stated that the Olympiad represents an important milestone in building a resilient and globally competitive seafood sector capable of meeting evolving international market expectations. He emphasized MPEDA's sustained efforts to strengthen quality assurance, food safety, processing excellence, workforce skilling, sustainable seafood production, and reliable supply chains, noting that the Olympiad serves as an important platform for strengthening India's seafood export ecosystem.
The award ceremony was attended by MPEDA Chairman Shri P. Jawahar, Director Dr Ram Mohan M.K., Secretary Dr Gibin Kumar, Joint Director Shri Anilkumar, and Chief Guest Dr K. N. Raghavan (CEO, Seafood Exporters Association of India), who distributed cash prizes, medals, and certificates to the winners. The event was also attended by senior officials from Central and State Governments, seafood exporters, international buyers, industry leaders, and technical experts participating in Seafood Expo Bharat 2026.
Award-winning value-added seafood products were showcased at the Skill Olympiad Pavilion along with live demonstrations and tasting sessions featuring export-oriented products developed through MPEDA's training programmes.