Socio economic status of fisherman & fish traders in Raipur district of Chhattisgarh

Introduction

Chhattisgarh, as a state, is actively contributing to the promotion of rural self-employment through its thriving fishing sector, ultimately providing nutritious food access to three residents in rural areas. A substantial workforce of 2.20 lakh individuals has the potential to engage in various roles within the fishing industry. The cultivation of large carp fish species holds a central position in these activities, primarily relying on aquaculture methods. The cornerstone of cultural fisheries lies in the availability of 91,928 ponds spread across 1.094 lakhs hectares of water in the state. Notably, 92% of the total territory has been effectively utilized, and the state currently hosts 2.20 lakh fish farmers. These dedicated individuals contribute 318 lakh man-days annually, actively participating in diverse fisheries-related operations. This concerted effort underscores Chhattisgarh's commitment to leveraging its abundant water resources for fostering rural employment, sustainable fisheries, and ensuring food security for its populace. The social-economic condition of fishermen and traders is intricately woven into the fabric of the fishing industry, reflecting both challenges and opportunities. Fishermen, often working in harsh and unpredictable environments, face socio-economic factors that impact their livelihoods. Factors such as age, gender, and caste play a crucial role, with a notable concentration of fishermen falling within the 30 to 50-year age group. Additionally, the predominance of male respondents highlights a gender disparity in the sector. The caste distribution reveals diverse participation, with a significant proportion belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC). Educationally, there is a spectrum ranging from primary school to higher secondary levels, emphasizing the need for targeted skill development initiatives. On the economic front, the integration of fishery with agriculture or other business activities signifies a diversified livelihood approach. Similarly, fish traders, particularly wholesalers and retailers, display distinct socio-economic patterns, underscoring the importance of understanding and addressing the nuanced dynamics within this critical economic sector.

Materials and Methods

For the current research, the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh was purposefully chosen for an in-depth examination of the local fisherman and fish market dynamics. A targeted selection process involved choosing 20 fishermen from distinct villages, including Dharsiwa, Dharampura, Jora, Mana, Kandul, Abhanpur, Banjari, Gatapar, Parsada, Uparwara, Arang, Chorhadih, Gidhawa, Khapri, Nardaha, Tilda, Sarora, Sankara, Deori, and Ganiyari, with one participant from each village to gather comprehensive marketing insights. In addition, 16 wholesalers and 30 retailers actively involved in the fish trade were strategically selected for a detailed investigation. The survey method was employed for analysis, utilizing personal interviews facilitated by well-structured, pre-tested interview schedules tailored specifically for this study. Tools like percentage, average analysis, tabular analysis, bar graphs have been adopted for analysis purpose.

Results and Discussion

After conducting research on the socio-economic status of the fisherman and fish traders in Raipur district's market, it was observed that the general profile of the selected respondents includes age, gender, caste, educational qualification and occupation of selected Fishermen and fish traders. Table 1 shows that in fishermen maximum fall under the age group of 30 to 50 years which accounts 75.00% of the total, 10.00% belonged up to 30-year age and 15.00% belonged to above 50 years. The gender of respondents was observed 16 male and 4 female which accounts 80.00% and 20.00% respectively. Caste composition of fisherman was found to be 25.00% general, 40.00% OBC, 20.00% ST and 15.00% SC. out of the total fishermen population, 70.00% are involved in both fishery and agriculture, 5.00% are solely involved in fishery, and 25.00% are engaged in other business activities.

In case of wholesaler, it was observed that maximum fall under age 30 to 50 years which accounts 56.25% of the total, 12.5% of the members belonged up to 30 years age and 31.25% belonged to above 50 years. The gender of respondents was observed 16 male and 00 female which accounts 100.00% and 00.00% respectively. Caste composition of wholesaler were found to be 56.25% general, 25.00% OBC, 12.5% ST and 6.25% SC. The education status shows that most of the members 43.75% did schooling up to primary level, 18.75% have education of middle school, 31.25% have educational qualification up to higher secondary school, 0.00% members are illiterate and 6.25% members have educational qualification of graduate and above it. 18.75% were engaged in fishery + agricultural occupation, 56.25% member have only fishery as occupation and 25.00% having fishery + other business. In case of retailer, it was observed that maximum fall under age 30 to 50 years which accounts 56.66% of the total, 30.00% of the members belonged up to 30 years age and 13.33% belonged to above 50 years. The gender of respondents was observed 19 male and 11 female which accounts 63.33% and 36.66% respectively. Caste composition of retailer were found to be 23.33% general, 53.33% OBC, 13.33% ST and 10.00% SC. The education status shows that most of the members 36.66% did schooling at up to primary school, 30.00% have education middle school, 13.33% have educational qualification up to higher secondary school, 13.33% members are illiterate and 6.66% members have educational qualification of graduate and above it.

Conclusion

The study highlights the complex interplay of age, gender, caste, and education in shaping the demographic and occupational landscape of the fishing industry in Raipur district. These findings can serve as a foundation for targeted policy interventions, aimed at addressing specific needs and challenges faced by each segment of the fishing industry, thereby fostering sustainable development and inclusivity within the sector. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of considering the diverse backgrounds of fishermen, wholesalers, and retailers when formulating policies and initiatives to ensure their effective implementation and positive impact on the fishing community in the region.

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