ABSTRACT

1. INTRODUCTION

The Indian fishing industry has a tremendous unexplored potential and there is
a huge demand for the fish species available in India. This industry offers a huge
employment potential both direct and indirect as well as scope for earning foreign
exchange for the country. It has also been observed that the current level of post
harvesting fish handling is a traditional one and if improved by suitably adopting the
new techniques and strategies, it can fetch foreign exchange to India in multiples.

Fishing in India is a major activity occupying the second position in global

fish production at present with 4.7% growth rate per annum, recording 3.2% growth
in marine sector and 6.2% growth in Inland sector, contributing 1.10% to the total
Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It provides employment to over 14 million people
and earns more than Rs.10,000 Crores annually through exports. India has over 8000
km of marine costal line, 3827 fishing villages and 1914 traditional fish landing
centers in 9 maritime states and 2 Union Territories, an Exclusive Economic Zone of
over 2 million sq. kms. and extensive freshwater resources and is a major supplier of
fish as it stands at a second position after China, at the global level.

2. INDIA’S ADVANTAGE OF COSTAL LENGTH

1. The 8,000 Kms. long coastline helps India to conduct trade with other parts of
the World.
2. It signifies good tourism possible in states like Gujrat, Maharashtra, Goa,
Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
3. Sea transportation is one of the economy transports. Thus, India holding a
huge coastline provides access to a number of sea transportation. It means a
low expense of imports and exports.
4. The southwest monsoon brought up by the Indian Ocean benefits in
prospering agriculture.
5. The access of India on the Indian Ocean encourages India to develop one of
the greatest fishing industry in the world.

3. INDIA’S FISH PRODUCTION

Fish Production (Million Tonnes)

1990-91 2000-01 2010-11 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
3.84 5.66 8.23 9.04 9.57 10.36 16.79
Source: Govt. Of India, Ministry of Agriculture Animal Husbandry Dairying and Fisheries Annual
Report (2016-17) p.11.

4. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The research scholar is well acquainted with the various aspects of fishing
industry as he has been serving as a Senior Executive in an industry which is a leading
provider of important input required by the fishing industry. On this back drop the
research scholar, keeping in view, the research title, has formulated the following
objectives for this research.

1. To study the present post-harvest fish handling practices followed by the

fishermen in India with special reference to those practices in the identified
study area.
2. To study availability of infrastructural facilities and problems faced (if any) by
the fishermen in the identified area.
3. To study the awareness of modern fishing practices amongst the fishermen
with special emphasis on the younger generation in the industry.
4. To study the impact fishing activity on the socio-economic status of the
fishermen.
5. To suggest suitable measures/ solutions for improvement in the post
harvesting handling practices.

5. RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

With the knowledge of the fishing operations the research scholar has framed
the following hypotheses for this research.

H1 There is a need to create greater awareness amongst the fishermen about the
post harvesting handling practices currently followed by them.
H2 There is a need to improve infrastructural facilities at Dapoli to handle post
harvesting practices.
H3 Fishermen in Dapoli taluka are required to be provided easy credit on soft
term basis to adopt new technology and increase their income level.

6. SAMPLE SIZE

The researcher has identified 5 villages of Dapoli Taluka of Ratnagiri where

the major fishing markets are located. From each of the village the researcher has
identified 75 fishermen and 3 business men who buy the catch from the fishermen and
2 Government officials from five villages. Thus, the total sample would be 400.

7. MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH

1. The respondents have not received any formal training in fishery and that they
are following the traditional practices.

2. Diesel is key input so far as fishing activity is concerned and therefore its
adequate availability is of utmost importance.

3. Increasing the volume of business and to earn better income, it is advisable to

switch to the modern fishing boats.

4. There is further scope for canvassing for the membership of the fishermen
societies operating in the area.
5. Fish is a very sensitive food item and it has to be kept fresh and therefore, it is
required to be transported to the market at the earliest for which availability of
the transport facility at the fish landing area will be useful.

6. Availability of clean water at landing centres is a basic requirement and it

should be endeavour of the government to provide it.

7. Lots of efforts are required to be made to convince the traditional fishermen

about the utility of the formal training.

8. There is a need to have proper drainage system at the landing centres where
the fish is sold.

9. The fishing activity has a great employment potential and currently labours are
being hired - dominantly hired labours are from Bihar or Uttar Pradesh.

10. There is frequent power failure which affects the stock of fish stored with the
ice which gets melted.

11. The availability of the central store for spares for the fishing boats will ensure
time saving and conducting the fishing activity without any interruption.

12. There is need to have all weather roads for smooth transport operations.

13. There should be training facility for the fishermen on the latest developments
in the fishery industry.

14. At the fish market there should be hygienic conditions of which cleanliness is
the prerequisite.

8. IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS
1. The elders should motivate their young generation to have training in fishing
which will equip them with the advanced techniques and innovative ideas.

2. It is suggested that the fishermen should develop banking habit and have
rapport with the local bankers to avail off various facilities for development.

3. The government of Maharashtra should take a lead in this regard and with the
help of the agriculture universities, develop syllabus for short duration courses
and start these programs in the costal districts of Maharashtra.

4. The government should ensure that the fishermen are not starved of adequate
availability of the diesel.

5. It is suggested that the government may take initiative in canvassing for the
use of mechanized boats which will increase the fishing business. It is true that
for buying a mechanized boat, heavy investment is required to be made.
6. That the government may take initiative and ensure that adequate clean water
is available for the fishermen at the landing space for washing the fish catch.

7. It is suggested that the local government authorities should ensure that proper
drainage system is in operation at the fish market yard.

8. The government should understand the huge potential of employment

generation of this activity and motivate the local unemployed youth for local
employment rather than depending upon the unemployed youth from outside.

9. The government should ensure that the local office be directed to include
construction of all-weather roads under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana.

10. It is suggested that the government representatives have a dialogue with the
banks operating in the area at the block level committee meetings under the
Lead Bank Scheme and have a better realistic scheme for financing the
fishermen.

11. The Government of India as well as the Government of Maharashtra may

consider a proposal for granting interest subsidy for the fishermen on the lines
of the interest subsidy given to the agriculturists for their crop loans.

12. The government may fix up targets to be achieved under each and every
scheme formulated by them for the fishermen.

13. It is suggested that instead of businessmen borrowing from the banks in their
own names for financing the fishermen, they should encourage for direct
financing to the fishermen by the banks under an undertaking from them that
they will provide the bank forward recovery linkage which will ensure bank’s
recovery.

9. TESTING OF HYPOTHESES

All the hypotheses have been tested using Binomial Proportion Test and those
have been fully tested positively.

10. SCOPE FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

1. There is need to assess the performance of the cooperative society’s network
for the development of the fishery activity in their area of operation. This is
necessary because these societies are solely owned by the fishermen
themselves and their approach in solving the problems of the fishermen should
be more effective.

2. A critical study of the performance of these societies functioning that will

throw light on the deficiencies in their working as well as the research study
will give probable solutions for the same.
11. CONCLUSION
Keeping in view the potential offered by this fishery industry and its potential
for earning foreign exchange as well as employment opportunities, the government
need to initiate effective steps to expand the fishery sector on sound footing to unlock
the huge value in the Fishety

Chandrashekhar K. Hande
Research Student

Dr. Shikha Bhargava Dr. Shridhar S. Rajpathak

Supervisors

Pune.

Date :