Credit Requirements of Marine Fishing Communities - Role of Self Help Groups in India

Abstract

Marine fishing at small scale and subsistence level is highly credit dependent livelihood activity o f fishermen. In addition to the credit requirements towards purchase o f boats and nets, the meagre earnings due to seasonality o f fish catch forces them to become dependent on credit for consumption purposes also. The disadvantages with the profession related activities works in favour o f creditors fo r exploitation o f fishing communities. This paper manifests the findings o f the study on credit requirement aspects o f production (marine fishing) and consumption purposes and the attitudes o f boat owners towards different sources o f credit. The significant role o f Self Help Groups has been noticed as a most promising aspect fo r strengthening the credit needs o f marine fishing communities.