Enhancing Fish Food Consumption Among Rural and Semi Urban Residents through Effective Demonstration of Fish Cooking Method in Fish Potential Areas of the Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

Fish is the main sources of protein 20% to world population. In addition to its high nutritive value fish has low cholesterol level compared to red meat and is easily digestible due to its high soft tissue. Despite the importance and availability of fish meat nearly to the newly contracted Tekeze hydroelectric power dam and in the region as a whole they have limited fish meat consumption behavior. The aim of the study was to demonstration fish food preparation method for ruralcommunity and restaurant owners in the fish potential areas of the region. The study wereda (Abi-Adi and Tanqua Abergelle) were selected purposively based on nearly availability of fish resources. In the second stage eight potential Tabia was selected purposively based on easily access to fish. In third stage 81 (60female& 21male) participant were selected purposively based on their interest on method demonstration. The participants were selected in collaboration with health extension worker and development agent. The participant farmers (65) and restaurant owners were trained the procedures of fish based recipe preparation method namely fish deep-fried whole tilapia, deep fried fish fillet, fish steak (Tibsi), and soup for own consumption and sell in restaurant. The primary data were collected by using check list from 41 randomly selected participants. The study employed frequency and narrative analysis.Due to the demonstration intervention and other NGOs effort, the nearby farmers start eating fish at home. Additionally, the number of restaurants who prepared fish based recipe as alternative food choose increased. Keeping the nutritive importance of fish meat the participant farmers preferred fish in its taste (92.65%), color (95.12%), smell (75.61%), and easily understandable method of preparation (85.36%). However, fish consumption is challenged by Shortage of capital. Lack of proper handling material, and Shortage of fish meat access in fair price in the rural settings (48.78%). Therefore, supply of medium sized cooling box is needed to safely transport from fish market to residence home and price of fish for local consumer should considered the economic status of the rural farmers.