Women in India are traditionally involved in agriculture, dairying, animal husbandry and fisheries. The fisheries sector makes an important contribution to the national economy with a share of 2.5% of the GDP providing food and employmen

Dhanapal, K

Hassan, Femeena

Kasim, H M

Khader, Vijaya

Lakshmi, J

Narayanakumar, R

Sathiadhas, R

Sudhakara, N S

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CHAPTER 9 PARTICIPATION Of WOMEN IN POST HARVEST fISHERIES SECTOR N. S. Sudhakara , Vij~ya Khadet, ~. Sa hiadas·:',. H. Mohamad Kasim:: •. R. Narayana Kumar ,K D anpal ,J,Laksnmi ,& Fameena Hassan Introduction Women in India are traditionally involved in agriculture, dairying, animal husbandry and fisheries. The fisheries sector makes an important contribution to the national economy with a share of 2.5% of the GOP providing food and employment. An overview of the fish utilization trend in India reveals the importance of women's particlpa ion in post harvest fisheries sector. Out of the total' marine fisillendfngs of about 2.2 million metric tOiles (Gaped Kumar and Ravindran 2000) , nearly ,65% are marketed as fresh fish for direcl human consumption with lNomen dominating tile retail fresh fish trade in all most all the maritime states ot India (BOHP, 20(0), providing a Un l~ between the producer and the conSlJmer. As much as 20% of tile catches are proo~'ssed by traditional methods mainly by salting and drying, which is an important livelihood activrty for a sign[ficant number of women, throughoul the coastal India. The demand for tradltional products IS strong and hence offers an opportunity for Income generation with rela tively low nvestment for the POQ in fishing communities. ~1e fisn reduction Industry utfllzes about 9% of the fish randlng: mostry tha smaller low priced fish species. wt1ich are not preferred for hum~n consumption and are sun drIed to be USed In poultry feeds or as manure. A signrficant proportion of women either independently process fish meal by sun drying or work as labour in by product units. The .sea ood export sector utlHzes 6% of U,e marine fish catch and employs large nun ber oifwomen worl<ersfor grading, packing and freezing sea foods for export Thus the contribution of women in ·every aspect of post harvest handling, preservation and procB$sing of fish is substantIal in the overall d·evelopment of fisheries sector Srinath (1987) has given an accolmt on the role of women in small scale fishe.ries. Dubey and Kohli (2001) have presented an overview on the contribution of women in ASIan fisheries. Ashalatha et ai, (2002) have depicted the chang n9 role of fisher women JI1 India. Sathiadas at. ai, (2003) have given an account In the socio-economic profile -0 the women workers In the post harvest marine fisheries sector ifl Kerala. But the information on socio economic issues and nutrtional status of fisherwomen in India is inadequate to suggest appropriate intervention to improve Income generation, the standards of sanitation and hygiene, product qual ity and address the specific problems confronting women in post harvest fisheries. Methodology The present study attempts to generate Information on the activities, constraints, priorities. and ne·ad of fisl1erwomen, in selected coastal villages of Andhra Pradesh, Tamf! Nad\J. Kamataka and Ke~ra' (Table 1). 'TIle il'1teI'Vel"ltfons which cal1 s,ignJficantly improve the situation of women especia lly in aspects of nutritional well being, improvement o.f product qu,ality and ,Significantly reduce losses (istng In the income of f isllerwomen are suggested. The data was collected using a questionnaIre and dlscusslons with the communities on tile issues confronting women In post harvest fisheries . • College of Fisheries, Mangalore - 575002 ** Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad - 500030 *"'* Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin, Chennai, Kakinada Results and Discussion . A large majority of women are involved in the fisheries related activity. It is clear that the fresh fish marketing and traditional fish processing are the more preferred activity of most fisherwomen, (Fig 1). As much as 50 to 70 % of the fisherwomen are dependent on fresh fish marketing and traditional fish processing (Table 2) . The other activities are specific to the region such as, the clam collection and processing, fish processing. plants and aquaculture in Kerala. The prawn seed collection, fish and shrimp farms end hatcheries and sa l1 loading in Andhra Pr,adesh. Labour at landing centres, by products units and surimi plants in Karnataka provide work and income for large number of poor people especially women . The marketing of fresh fish is relatively easy with access to fish for women, facilitating flexibility of operation, financial security and occupational sustainability. But the venders have range of problems (Fig 2 - raw material) with fish supplies becoming increasingly scarce, due to depletion of fish catches, increased competition from processing and export sector. Most women prefer this activity mainly due to the high demand for fresh fish and quick return of the investment. The small scale women processors in the traditional sectors have more problems (Fig 3 -traditional processing). The profit margins are low, fluctuations in the product supply, lack of storage facilities , insect infestation present them with risks and uncertainties. Th.B frequently oceurring occupational health hazards of women are main ly re'lsled to physica'i exhaustTo'ndue to longstanding I long sitting I working In hot sun I untimely food liang wor:f<ing hours I long distance working with head load. Back ache, headache, chest pain, shoulder / joint / muscular pain / skin infection, burning sensation of eyes. Breathlessness are the common problems of fisher women associated with post harvest fisheries activity in all the centres. Researchers have demonstrated that by adopting systematic cost effective approach, it is possible to bring improvement in the traditional fish processing sector. There are several general problems (Fig. 2 general) confronting fisherwomen. The advantages and preference of women to be in post halVes.t and the socio-econornic conditions need to be anatyzed before planning any intervention. The intervention need to be of participative approach determining the willingness of women to adopt the interventions. Conclusion Based on the understanding from the field research, it is clear that there is a need to improve the general situation of women on a long term basis. But as a priority, interventions in creating awareness among women on food, health, sanitation and child care, to educate women formally as well as informally in improvement of the quality of the product. Effort is to be made to have trained female extension workers. Women friendly technologies need to tested, evaluated and proper techno economic reports prepared to facilitate their use through entrepreneurship development programmes. Table 1: Participation of Women in Post Harvest Fisheries in selected villages Andhra Pradesh Karnataka Kerala Tamil Nadu E Ifl"I(ii<'f ... "l'-P".I<O'5 l ilJlI1- pa l'Iiiii'i""r- t;kIUPI I',lappuz a KOllam TIiiI1!v;J IDipuram , NO~u South I amllNadu Godhavari and Nellore Kannada Nadlj Chennal lullcorln District District Dummulupetla Vadarevu Bengre Hejmadl Aroor Theckumbhagam Poovar Kaslmedu ,. -Therespuram rWO) (250) (160) (87) (433) (83) (344) (2BIJ) (278) Uppada Pallepalem Boloor Malpe Neendakara Pulicut Tharuvaikulam (200) (250) (86) (240) (34a) (239) (281) Bhairavapalem Mypadu Mulki Thotlam Kovalam Punnakayal (285) (200) (330) (75) (223) (300) Pathapadu Krishnapalnam Gangolli (100) (170) (137) Perupalem 1800 1008 1208 1681 (100) ....!. '. Total number of house hold surveyed: 5697 • The figures in the parenthesis denote number of house holds surveyed Fig. 1: Fish utilization trend in India 71 Table 2: Major Post Harvest Activities of Fisherwomen (Perc~ntage) Activities Fresh fish Marketing Traditional fish processing Others* . Andhra Pradesh Karnataka ' Kerala Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh Karnataka Tamilnadu 32 33 35 25 38 30 43 29 35 : Prawn seed collection, Fish farm, Shrimp farms and hatcheries salt loader Kerala 35 25 40 : Labour at landing centers, by product units, surimi plants and fish processing plants Clam collection, processing, Sea food processing plants, Aquaculture practices : House wives • Clam collection • Prawn Seed Collectiol} • Sorting • Marketing Fresh Fish Marketing D,I'essing of fish • SUnmi Units Aquaculture • Fish farms • Shrimp farms • Shrimp hatcheries t /" Activities of .... Women in ~ Fisheries / ,t " P,r~ce$sJng plants • Peelers • Graders • Pa-ckers Fig. 2: Activities in Fisheries 73 labour at landing centres • Loading ice to boat • Unloading fish from boat • Loading fish to tempos • Sorting of fish Traditional fish processing • Salting and drying of fish By Products units • Fish meal • Oil • Liver oil units • Manure RAW MATERIAL ~ Seasonal availability ~ Uncertainties of catch / scarce supply of fish ~ High perishability ~ Intense compe@on ~ Long waiting ~ Non availability of ice ~ Losses due to spoilage ~ Poor quality .. Lack of cold storage facility at markets • I ncrease income • Reduce losses • Provide appropriate tools and accessories • Education and training • In,crease savings • Generate alternate income sources HEALTH & NUTRITION ~ Lack of knowledge on food and health ~ Poor general hygiene ~ Inadequate food consumption ~ Nutritional deficiency - low intake of macro and micro nutrients , Lack of awareness on child care t CONSTRAINTS OF WOMEN .... IN ..... POST HARVEST FISHERIES , GENERAL ~ Low income ~ Lack of transportation facilities ~ Long distances ~ Inadequate facilities for women at markets and landing centre ~ Declining fish catches ~ Have to support facilities ~ No alternate income source ~ Use of inappropriate tools and accessories ~ High interest rates TRADITIONAL PROCESSING ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ '~ );> ~ ~ I ~ Labour intensive Non availability of good quality salt Lack of knowledge on hygiene Scarcity of potable water Lack of 'space for drying AdversE! climates Inadequate drying Losses in drying on roadsides Losses during storage by insect infestation, browning Drying at floor levels Lack of facilities in drying yards (Raised platform drying racks) Informal trading - large number of intermediaries, Lack of storage facilities, Low profit margins Ris~s and uncertainties Inappropriate use of insecticides Low quality products ADVANTAGES TO BE IN POST HARVEST • Flexibility in working hours • Immediate returns • Skill and expertise • Strong demand for fresh and dry/salted fish • Low investment • Low working costs • Support from the family Fig. 3: Constrains of women in post harvestfisheries Assessment ,of general situat ion of women in smaU scaie' fishelies Six parameters namely Food Security and Nutrition, Income, Community Servloes, DivIsion of labour, Fish processing and marketing Were used to assess the position of general slttJaUoh of women In small scale fisherres. The -da a obtain Is provided Tn table 1. When we c0mpal"e states, Karnataka occupies first rank is food security and rn.Jtrition, community servic;;es Bnd fish processing. Kerala occLlp,ies 1 M rank in division o'f labour and ma,rketing. Andl' ra Pradesh occupies 1 ~4 rank iii inQorrre where as 'amflnadu occupies 3"" rank in almost all the parameters whet! we observe the mean oaf the relative ranks Kerala ranks 1st followed by Karnataka , Tarnfl NadLl at'Id Aodhr-a Pradesh. This clearty Kerala occupies first place In the position 0 genera l situation of women in small scale fjsnerles Table 1: Position of general situation of women in small scale fisheries Parameters studies States studies Andhra Pradesh Karnataka Kerala Tamilnadu Food security and nutrition 60 %(4) 72 %(1) 70 %(2) 65 %(3) Income 60 %(1) 40 %(4) 50 %(2) 46 %(3) Community services 66 %(3) 97 %(1) 64 %(4) 96 %(2) Division of labour 50 %(2) 40 %(4) 52 %(1) 45 %(3) Fish processing 40 %(4) 80 %(1) 70 %(2) 50%(3) Marketing 50 %(4) 70 %(2) 80 %(1) 60 %(3) Total ranks 18 13 12 17 - 3 2.17 2.0 2.8 X Values in the parenthesis are ranks among the states; X mean of the relative ranks 75 

Participation of women in post harvest fisheries sector

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Participation of women in post harvest fisheries sector

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