In a bid to expand the market for dried fish products in the country, the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) in Kochi has developed a new system for drying fish using solar energy. Director CIFT Dr B Meenakumari said, the hybrid solar drying system, developed by the engineering division of CIFT, with an LPG or Biogas back up attached to it, will help in drying fish during the rainy seasons also. Drying under controlled temperature conditions and humidity helps to dry the fish reasonably rapidly to a safe moisture content level and ensures superior quality of the product with attractive colour. The use of renewable solar energy ensures economy in production cost and makes the product an eco friendly one.This will lead to better value realisation of the currently wasted low-value fishes and ensure availability of high quality fish protein to the rural poor at affordable prices.