Parity in socio-economic status of fishers and primary producers of coastal India

Abstract

Objective: The comparison of the socio-economic status of fishers and primary producers of the coastal India would tried to find out the potential gaps and suggested the measures to be taken for improving their living standards. Methods: The NSSO-68th round unit level data of fishers and primary producers for all the coastal states and UTs except Goa and Lakshadweep Islands was retrieved and used in the study. The results are represented with frequency tables and bar diagrams. The Z test to compare means and population proportions were used to test for its significant difference. Findings: The results revealed that the parity is existed between the fishers and primary producers with respect to their family size, religion, social group, training, subsidiary activity, employment status, land ownership, savings account and membership with associations. However, there is no parity in the literacy, MGNREG beneficiaries, land utilising for cultivation and average monthly expenditure. The literates among fishers and agricultural households are found to be more than the rural average literacy rate. There is scope to increase the MGNREG beneficiaries among fishers through proper implementation of the scheme to reduce the unemployment during lean season as their percentage was found to be less than the agricultural households. The fishers engaged in subsidiary activity were found to be less. Since the average income of fishers was less than the agricultural households, motivation of fishers to take up subsidiary activities may provide them to earn additional income to overcome the debt trap and during lean seasons. The average monthly consumption expenditure of fishers was comparatively lesser than the agricultural households because of their poor accessibility to various goods and services. Application: The living standards of agricultural dependent population are comparatively lower than the people of any other sectors. The fisheries sector, being the fastest growing sector among the allied sectors of agriculture, the benefits thus obtained can be distributed in favour of poor fishers to improve their living conditions by adopting proper policies.