INTRODUCTION

The co-operative movement was started in our country which is enacted

of co-operative society act 1904. The word co-operation received from the Latin

word co-operari which means working together generally it implies living

thinking and working together. Generally it ilies living thinking and working

together. It signifies the spirit of human utilization. All organization of the

society ranging form family to Nation to build upon the foundation of co-

operation.

Even in primitive societies people desired to co-operate the level of co-

operation can be local regional or international there was no period in human

history when people decided to work without co-operation.

The first co-operative society for fishermen in the region that is now

Kerala was registered in 1917. At that time fisheries co-operative were

registered on the basis of communication with separate societies for ARAYAN

and VALSAN (Hindu) and Christian fishermen by 1933 there were 95 co-

operatives was very disappointing the Govt. of Travancore through its co-

operative enquiry committee of 1934 studied the problem of fisherman co-

operative and suggested various means of encouraging co-operative enterprise

among fishermen.

Kerala State Co-operative federation for fisheries development Ltd. Is the

apex federation of 654 primary fishermen co-operative society spread over t10

district of Kerala, South India.

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 There are 340 operative societies in the marine sector, 183 in the inland

sector co-operative. The federation care in to existence in 1984 the federation

care into984 the federation has a district office in reach of the maritime district

and are in the inland district each headed by a district manager.

In this project I will try to disclose the importance of fishers societies in

Kerala.

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Objectives of the study

The study proposed to cover the following objectives:-

1. To study the socio - economic impact of the fishery sector in Kerala.

2. To study the Fishermen Co-operative Societies in Kerala.

3. To study the role of Co-operative Societies in the marketing activities of fish

and allied fish products.

4. To make recommendations on the basis of the findings of the study.

Limitations of study

Even though the entire coastal area is covered with sufficient number of

fishermen co-operative societies, many of these societies were working far

away from their primary objectives. Most of them have only nominal

functioning. So the workings of these societies are not in a satisfactory level.

Researcher could not identify and collect the necessary data from these societies

due to their disfunctioning.

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Nammalwar and Prakasam (1979)

while studying the Status and Problem of Fishermen in the Marine Fishing

Industry point out that over-fishing threatens the fishery resources of our

country and therefore regulation of a type, leading to a reduction in the number

of units is desirable to conserve valuable resource to forestall economic

difficulties and to reduce the clashes among different groups is desirable.

Although advances have been made in fishing technology, practically it has not

reached the poor fishermen. Several factors such as low social status, poor

economic conditions, illiteracy, heavy interference of middlemen, traditional

fishing equipments and methods etc. influence the socioeconomic conditions of

fishermen.

Rajasenan (2001) describes the induction of new echnology in Keralas large

fishing industry, which has resulted in overcapitalization and concomitant

problems related to fishing resources in the State. This article analyses the

interrelation between technology and labour in the modernization process of

Keralas marine fishery. It also evaluates the output trends in the various phases

of Kerala fishery and the positive impact of a change in the policy paradigm on

the traditional fishery and resource conservation

Balasubramaniyan (2001) in his study compared the economic status of

fishermen in two marine fishing villages of Orissa State viz., Pentakota and

Belinoliasahi. They measured the economic status and the mean scores of

respondents in the two villages, which differed significantly at one per cent

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level. The results also revealed that the fishermen had a favorable attitude

towards the motorization of fishing crafts in both the villages.

Rajan (1990) in his article "Credit and Capital Structure of Small Scale Fishing

Units in Kerala" studied the extent to which fishermen depend on credit for

investment in fishing units and also the association between the magnitude of

investment and borrowings. The study has analysed the capital structure and the

debt equity ratio and also examined the correlation between investment and debt

and concluded that the investment in the small scale fisheries was

heterogeneous and the loans provided by the organised sector were insufficient.

Gabriele Dietrich and Nalini Nayak (2001) conducted a study on fish

workers movement in India and abroad; which was largely an out come of

certain technology- oriented growth process which led to increased

industrialization of the sector and in its course to overfishing, depletion of the

oceans, indebtedness of the fish workers and an acute threat to the survival of

fisheries. This study also discusses the organizational process from its inception

in the coastal villages in Kerala, first through the process of co- operativization

and then unionization at national and inter national levels.

George (1998) studies the literacy levels of marine fisher folk from three

districts of Kerala, and finds that the educational backwardness of the marine

fisher folk has to be located in socio- economic constraints, cultural factors,

school variables, family variables, individual behavioural factors, occupational

pattern and mode of production. From the analytical point of view he argues

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that the inadequacy of political mobilization and consolidation of the

community, contributed to the educational backwardness of marine fisher men

of Kerala.

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Fishing

As indicated by Lorena Aguilar fishing here means capture through the use of

fishing gear or equipment of live aquatic organisms that move with a certain

speed.

Fisherman

Bailey66 defines a fisherman as one using a fishing craft. John Kurien67

defines fishermen as that category of persons who earn their main source of

livelihood by actually, actively being involved in the process of catching fish

using non-mechanised means of production.

Prasad68 defines a fisherman as a person who may culture or capture fish or

process or market the same. The All India Census of Marine Fishermen Craft

and Gear69 defines marine fisherman as one who is engaged in marine fishing

and associated activities.

In the present study a fisherman is refered to as a person who belongs to the

fishing community and who is engaged in fishing, fishery-related activities.70

Fisherwoman

Woman, to Gracy71 in a broad sense, in fisheries means woman from fishing

families or fishing communities, whose socio-economic status and wellbeing

are determined by the uncertanities of fishing. In a strict sense, the term woman

in fisheries is used to indicate women who are involved in fish related activities

like marketing, processing, net making, picking etc. Daniel Viswasam Samuel72

defines fisherwoman who engages in fishing and its related activities.

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Veeraputhiran73 defines a fisherwoman as an active adult female decision

maker in a fishing family. In the present study, the term fisherwoman means

women who belong to the fishing community engaged in fishing and fishing

related activities for their livelihood.

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The Pre-requisites for Success

The picture painted above of the state of fishermens cooperatives in

Kerala is no doubt depressing. To take refuge in the fact that this reflects the

general situation in India would be to evade the issue.

Fishermens cooperatives in other developing countries have fared no better.

Studies have been undertaken to find out why this is so.

Why do fishermens cooperatives fail? How can they succeed? In a

comprehensive study, Margret Digby, a stalwart of cooperative enterprise, lists

five key factors for the few successes of cooperative ventures in fisheries the

world over:

1 . The fishermens spontaneous response to exploitation.

2 . Evolution from traditional community organisations.

3 . Voluntary efforts by non-official bodies interested in the welfare of

fishermen.

4 . Action by other types of cooperative organisations.

5 . Government policy aiming at the protection and development of fisheries

and using the artisanal fisheries as a starting point.

Digby indicates that this list is arranged in the order of importance: the most

successful cooperative enterprises were an outcome of the fishermens

spontaneous response to exploitation; continued success was assured by the

subsequent incorporation of the other listed factors.

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Commenting on the last factor-government policy as a starting point for the

organisation of fishermens cooperatives - Digby says :

The disadvantages are that governments are frequently in a hurry and hope to

achieve important long-term results with too little sustained effort and expense.

The department concerned may either misunderstand the methods and

possibilities of cooperation or may not be aware of the economic complexities

of the fishing industry. An artificially created cooperative movement may fail to

develop the initiative and responsibility which would allow it to go forward to

tackle seriously the powerful interest involved in fundamental change.

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Survey of Fishermen

The present section seeks to assess the view points of the respondents

regarding their personal profile and general information related to the different

assistances given by the Fishermen Co-operative Societies and their attitude

towards the society.

The present study is an attempt to examine the role of Fishermen Co-

operative Societies in the marketing of fish and fish products in Kerala. In order

to obtain maximum information and include to all typical cases , the

respondents were selected on the basis of stratified random sampling. Maximum

care was taken to select the respondents importantly so that they form a

representative sample of the entire population. For the purpose of study, the

following aspects relating to the respondents are taken in to consideration. They

are region, age, sex, religion, education, type of dwelling, marital status and

family income of the respondents. A profile of the selected respondents is drawn

by adopting total scores, percentages, tables and diagrams. A detailed analysis

of these items will elicit a clear picture of the respondents selected for the study.

The results of these demographic characteristics were given below.

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Table 4.1
Religion of the respondents

Valid Cumulative
Religion Frequency Percent
Percent Percent

Christian 128 42.7 42.7 42.7

Hindu 142 47.3 47.3 90

Muslim 30 10.0 10.0 100

Total 300 100 100

Figure 4. 1
Religion of the Respondent

250
218

200

150 142

Religion of the Respondent

100

50
30

0
Christan Hindu Muslim

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Table 4.2

Monthly Income of Family

Valid
Frequency Percent Cumulative
percentage

Less than
70 23.3 23.3 23.3
3000

Rs.3000-6000 196 65.3 65.3 88.7

Rs.6000-
34 11.3 11.3 100
12000

Total 300 100 100

Figure 4. 2
Monthly Income of family

250

196
200

150

Freequency
Percent
100
70 65.3

50
34
23
11.3
0
Less than 3000 Rs.3000-6000 Rs.6000-12000

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Table 4.3

Sex of the respondents

Valid
Frequency Percent Cumulative
percentage

Male 252 84 84 84

Female 48 16 16 16

Total 300 100 100

Figure 4. 3
Sex of the Respondents

300

252
250

200

150
Sex of the Respondents

100

48
50

0
Male Female

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Table 4.4

4.3 Age of the Respondents

Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent
Percentage Percentage
Valid Below
7 2.3 2.3 2.3
20

20-30 14 4.7 4.7 7

30-40 103 34.3 34.3 41.3

40-50 Above 150 50.07 50 91.3

50 & Above 26 58.07 8.7 100

Total 300 100 100

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Figure 4.4

Age of the Respondents

8% 2% 5%
Below 20
20-30
30-40
35% 40-50
50 & Above

50%

Table 4.5

Level of Education of Respondents

Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percentage
Percentage Percent

Primary 70 35.5 35.5 35.5

UP 33.5 33.5 33.5 33.5

HS 43 21.8 21.8 90.9

College 18 9.1 9.1 100

Total 197 100 100

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Figure 4.5

Level of Education of Respondents

9.1

Primary
UP
HS
35.5 College
21.8

3.2

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Figure 6

Break-up of Marketing Cost

Break-up of Marketing Cost

4% 3% 12% Commission,Tax
Metirial
6%
Transport
23%
Wage
Food
Interest
Miscellaneous
7%

45%

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 SUMMERY

Thus the past studies indicate that the finishing workers carry out a

multiple role as regards the development of the marine fisheries and the costal

Economy. How ever often their economic activities are undervalued and are not

adequately and properly compensated leading to their appalling living condition

mostly in certain type of job like catching and marketing the fishermen are

discriminated. This warrants a scientific analysis of the economic function of

fishermen for the formation of the much needed policy aiming at addressing the

plight of the fisher folk in the coastal rural area.

This above discussion of literature point out that most of the studies pertaining

of the east.

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 FINDINGS

Following are the main findings of the society,

Age wise classification of the respondents reveals that only 2.3 per cent

respondents fall in the age group of below 20 years, 4.7 per cent in 20-30

years, 34.3 per cent in the age group of 30-40 years. However, a major

proportion of the respondents, i.e., 50 per cent appear under the age group of

40-50 years and 8.7 per cent fall under 50& above.
Gender wise classification of the surveyed respondents, out of 300

respondents, 252 were male and 48 females contributing to 84 per cent and

16 per cent of the total respectively. Majority of the respondents are male.

This indicates that most of the sample respondents are male.

The religion wise classification of the samples shows that 47.3 per cent of

the respondents are Hindus, 42.7 per cent are Christian and the remaining 10

per cent constitute Muslims of sampled population.

The Respondents Category in relation to reveals that 65.7 per cent of the

respondents are literate and the remaining 34.3 per cent are illiterate.
The education levels of survey respondents ranged from primary school,

upper primary, high school, and college. The mean education level was

middle school. Under the education category, 35.5 per cent respondents have

Primary education, 33.5 per cent fall in the Upper Primary education, 21.8

per cent appear under the High School education and only 9.1 per cent

represent College education

It is evident from survey that 21.7 per cent of the respondents have less than

5 family members in their house, a majority of 61.7 per cent have 5 8

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 members in their family, 14.7 per cent represents 8 10 family members and

only 2 per cent respondents have more than 10 members in their family.
The income Wise breakup of the respondents reveals that almost 65.3% of

the respondents do have a monthly family income between Rs.3000

Rs.6000. Though there is a sizeable group of the high-income, majority is

the middle-income group. 23.3% of the respondents are coming under the

category of less than Rs.3000. there are 34 responses contributing 11.3% in

the category of Rs.6000 Rs.12000. This gives a clear picture of the

economic status of the respondents which further reflects in their social

environment in terms of socialization, attitudes and perception.

Majority of the respondents, i.e., 76.7 per cent come under the category of

Active Fisherman, while only 23.3 per cent are Inactive Fisherman.
Out of 300 respondents, all of them are aware about Fishermen Co-

operative societies.

SUGGESTIONS

To develop the successful fishery co-operatives to operate fish marketing

effectively to compete locally and globally; government has to take major

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 step like create institutions for marine or fishermen training, increasing

infrastructure and financing to the members of the society. Government has

to motivate the fishermen and their allied to come up for better training and

education.
Every organization like government, private financial institutions, NGOs,

and foreign investors should come up to give micro credit to fishermen.

Otherwise, things will be very difficult while that will go for fish marketing.
To generate the admirable flow of skilled human resources in fishing

industry, professional trainer is mandatory for all. Professional trainer should

be hire from domestic or foreign sources due to give technical knowledge,

proper education, training, and motivations to the fishermen.

The relevant authority should arrange workshops, seminars, conferences,

and live demonstrations for acknowledging the fishermen regarding latest

knowledge of fishing, processing and marketing of fish and fish products.

The fisheries societies should try to enroll more members from fishing

community. In most co-operative the members are boat owners who may or

may not be fishermen.

The Society should try to increase the female membership.

Women in the fish processing plants are often harassed, exploited and

undervalued for their work. In this context, improve condition of work of

women in fish processing plants.

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 Fishermen and management bodies of cooperatives should be educated

regarding cooperation, sustainable fishery, production, processing and

marketing of different varieties of fish products.

New legal regulations related to fishery or marketing fish through

cooperatives compulsory to the members.

CONCLUSION

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 What we see in Kerala today is the consequences of a flawed

understanding of what co-operative really are. A co-operative is at once a

peoples organization and a business organization, through for the purpose of

study and analysis we might separate the two dimension. It is meaningless in

reality to do so. Its a co-operative fails as a peoples organization it will most

certainly fails an business organization- there is no exception to this role.

Fishermens means co-operatives in Kerala have been affected with the

same malady.

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