Empowerment of Fisherfolk through Entrepreneurial Capacity Building of Self-help Groups in Marine Sector

Abstract

The investigation was conducted during July, 2019 to March, 2022 at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Ernakulam District, Kerala, India to empower Scheduled Caste (SC) fisherfolk by promoting entrepreneurial capacity building and fostering sustainable fishery-based micro-enterprises through training programmes. It was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) scheme.  A total of 10 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) consisting of 102 SC members were involved. The project focused on identifying location-specific fishery-based micro-enterprises and enhancing entrepreneurial skills in the SHGs through training on four key technologies: Cage culture, Pearl spot seed production, Fish value addition, and Fish fertilizer production. The SHGs, which included an equal number of men and women to promote gender equality, were mobilized with the help of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of CMFRI. The project also addressed gender-related challenges in the fisheries sector, ensuring the inclusion and empowerment of women. Financial assistance was provided under the DST project, while KVK offered technical support. The project’s outcomes included performance evaluations, an empowerment index, and economic analyses such as break-even points and payback periods for the technologies. Success stories were documented through ICT modules and videos. These case studies served as practical models for sustainable SHG mobilization, offering valuable lessons for broader community empowerment in the fisheries sector.