Rural Livelihood Security: Assessment of Fishers’ Social Status in India

The study has assessed the levels of literacy, health, income and livelihood security of the fisherfolk in India by taking a sample of 4555 fisher households selected from six fisheries sectors (marine capture, inland capture, mariculture, fresh water and brackish water aquaculture and marketing and processing) in 19 states of India. The primary data were collected using a pre-tested survey scheduled during January to December, 2011. The age profile of the fisher household revealed the dominance of the young — onethird with less than 35 years of age and more than half in 35 to 55 years age groups. The literacy rate has been found quite high, about 80 per cent on overall basis. The health status of fisher households has been assessed using birth weight of infants, incidence of mortality among mothers/children during birth, administration of vaccines and health care facilities. It has been found that for a better livelihood security, the respondent households have diversified their income sources beyond fisheries, the major ones being labour, agriculture, and business and non-farm activities. The average monthly income across all sectors was about ` 6500, in which about 73 per cent were from fisheries. For economic security, a considerable number (around 40%) of fisher households had savings, the average amount being ` 4200 per fisher household. The study has suggested that microfinance enterprises like self-help groups (SHGs) should be promoted to help the fishers to address their problem of indebtedness. There exists huge potential of imparting training to fishers, particularly the young and womenfolk, on fisheries management and diversified enterprises including services delivery.