Chepa Shutki, a semi-dried traditional fermented fish, is one of the favorite food items in Kishoreganj as well as greater Mymensingh region. It is known as ‘Hiddal’ in Kishoreganj and some other parts of the country.
Dry fish is usually dried under direct sunlight, but Chepa Shutki is made with semi fermentation process.
Raw materials of Chapa Shutki or Hiddal usually come from haor. The haor in Itna, Mithamain and Ashgram of Kishoreganj are the source of dried fish. A large number of people of the areas are engaged in processing of Chapa Shutki. They apply traditional method for making Chapa Shutki or Hiddal.
By adopting the traditional method, the people of Kishoreganj have developed a large center of production of Chapa-Shutki.
Entrepreneurs of Barabazar produce Chepa Shutki by gathering dry baskets from various markets of haor or fishermen. For this, they are involved in the production of the production in the big house or the neighborhood house behind their business ventures.
The activities can be seen in some areas. Hundreds of people come from haor every day with dried fish. The dried fish and Chapa Shutki are brought in front of the business by making big stacks. The workers take them to the big warehouse in the back. Head-high scooter pots in each warehouse. These shoots are filled with hot water for processing warehouse in the next warehouse.
It is known that from Ashwin to Falgun, it a gold time for Chepa Shutki as traders pass busy time in the time. Traders of Barabazar in Kishoreganj said that they earn huge profit from the business.
Chepa Shuntki of Kishoreganj is provided to Dhaka and many other districts,. Each moth is sold at Tk 30,000 to 45 thousand, said Kajal Barman, a trader of dried fish.
Kajal Barman also said that he and his father Mohan Chandra Barman and his brothers Prahalad Chandra Barman and Maharram Ali together started manufacturing and selling the first large quantity of Chepa Shutki. Later, Prahlad Chandra Barman and Mahram Ali Miah started the business separately. They have been involved in this business for almost 50 years. 30 years ago after the death of his father, he took up the business of father while studying in eighth grade, said Kajal. Kajol Barman also said that the people of Bangladesh living in different countries of the world are known with Kishoreganj's Chepa Shutki.
Farid, a youth of the area, said that his younger brother Sharif lives in Dubai. Sharaf's favorite food is Chepa Shutki. Many people of India, Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma and other countries who are Sharif's colleagues also like Chepa Shutki. Sujon, a Dubai expatriate, said he like dried fish as well as Chepe Shutki.
Read Bangladesh Post National categorie news.
