social conditions of inland fishermen -...

SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF INLAND FISHERMEN

CHAPTER – IV

Even after the independence of India, millions of

India’s people lived in conditions of appalling deprivation- in conditions

of hunger, ill health, illiteracy and homelessness and subject to different

forms of class, caste and gender oppression. And, now, fifty years after

independence, despite the substantial progress made in many fields, the

condition remains unchanged .The failure to provide the people of India

with adequate food, clothing, shelter and basic means of self –fulfillment

constitutes the most serious drawback of our economy.

In the measure of Human Development Index (HDI)

India ranks 124 out of 173 countries in the year 2000.The HDI is an

indicator of achievement proposed by the United Nations Development

Programme. This is a composite index; it seeks to combine data on three

features of the quality of life-adequate levels of income, good health and

education. The Human Poverty Index (HPI) provides a measure of

deprivation. Here India ranks 55 out of 88; it is one of the lowest,

keeping company with its sub continental neighbors and African

countries (Kannan 1999) 1.

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AREA OF STUDY:

In this study, the primary unit of sampling for the

survey was the inland fishermen household. This was defined as a family

pursuing fishing as its full-time (main) occupation. Information was also

gathered through discussions with the authorities of the Fisheries

Department, church- leaders, social activists, wholesale and retail

merchants, middle- men and fish vendors. Secondary data were collected

from research centers, published sources, and Fisheries Department and

other related Governmental agencies in this field.

The primary task of any study concerned with

fishermen households is the study of the socio–economic conditions,

which are a pre-requisite for the design and implementation of effective

policy and programmes for their development. In order to obtain a

benchmark information about the socio-economic conditions and

standard of living of fishermen, an attempt has been made to provide an

overall picture of the structure, outfits and standard of living of inland

fishing communities.

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SOCIAL STATUS OF INLAND FISHERMEN:

Kerala is considered as a unique example in

development because of its successful performance in the social sectors

like health, education and social welfare. But the State has a poor per

capita domestic income. However, these achievements cannot really be

claimed in the case of three major categories of backward sections in the

State – the tribal folk, fisherfolk and floating Tamil populations. Out of

this the fisherfolk are a community that contributes much to the

economic output and nutrition of the people of Kerala. Fisheries form the

main source of income for about 3 percent of the population and

contribute to 2 percent of the Net State Domestic Product (NSDP)

(Government of Kerala 1990). 2

The social status of inland fishermen in Kerala is not

at all worth commenting and the attitude of the mainstream society

towards them is always negative. They maintain their own special type of

social conditions and are hesitant to mingle with the outer world. They

are educationally the most backward class and their views towards social

aspects are somewhat different from that of others. They remain away

from the rest of the society and are always suspicious of outsiders and are

not willing to accept advice or take an initiative in any of the activities of

the society. Social reform movements of the State have little or no effect

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among the fishermen folk. Unlike the other communities in Kerala,

which were caught in the process of political awakening after

independence, the fishing community for a large part remained outside

this process except in the Alappuzha area (Nalini Nayak 1989). 3 But the

political base of the community as a whole is weak; but during the time

.of elections, this community form large vote - banks which is easily

tapped with a few promises. No political party or political leader is

bothered about the miserable conditions of the fishermen community. So

the people in the fishing community continues to be socially controlled

by their religious leaders. These controls by the religious leaders have

undergone substantial changes over the years, but religion continues to be

the main unifying force and ideological basis for the majority of the

fishermen.

RELIGION AND CASTE AMONG FISHERMEN:

As a community the fishermen have been isolated and

unorganized. “ Fishermen community or fishing community means, the

society of those who are part of the ancestry and culture of

fishing”(Thadeus 1999) 4. Hence the fishing community includes families

and individuals not actively involved in fishing, but belongs to the caste

considered to be following fishing as traditional occupation. The fishing

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community signifies a social, rather than an occupational group. The

villages of inland fishermen vary among themselves on several counts,

mainly on religious composition.

In Kerala, the Hindus, Christians as well as Muslims

are seen involved in fishing. In the Southern districts of Kerala i.e.

Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha the fishers are

predominantly Latin Catholic Christians. There are also a few Muslim

areas here. In Central Kerala, the majority of the fisher communities are

Hindus belonging to the Araya or Dheevara caste. They are concentrated

in the districts of Kollam ( Karunagappally taluk), Alappuzha ( between

Alappuzha and Ambalappuzha), Ernakulam,Thrissur and also in

Kasergode. In the northern districts like Kannur, Kozhikode,

Malappuram and Kasergode Muslims (Mapila Muslim) are the

predominant community. Further north, again Hindu fisher communities

like Mukkuva, Mugayira, Ezhava and Vellava form a majority. In the

case of inland fishing communities, the Latin Catholic community

dominates Southern Kerala and the Dheevara community, in the Central

and Northern districts (Clement Lopez 1999) 5. In the study area there are

580 Hindu families, 493 Christian families and 257 Muslim inland

fishermen families.

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According to 2001 census estimates, fishermen

population in Kerala was 10.85 lakhs. According to the statistics

available in the Department of Fisheries, 40 percent of the fishermen

families belong to Dheevara, 35 percent Latin Catholics and 25 percent

Muslim (Udayabhanu 1990) 6 and is represented in Figure 4.1

Fig 4.1 – Caste and Religion among Fishermen:

LC35%

Dheevara40%

Muslim25%

LATIN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY:

The Christian fishing community includes different

groups ranging from backward classes to Dalits. The different

communities belong to different socio-economic strata. They are spread

over eleven dioceses of Kerala. (Table 4.1)

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Table 4.1 – Proportion of Latin Community in Kerala: Sl. No. Sub – Divisions No. in Lakhs Percentage

1 Ezhunooty & other Syrian communities

4.65 33.21

2 Anjooty ( Fishing community)

1.85 13.21

3 Munnooty (Fishing community)

2.80 20

4 Nadar 1.15 8.21 5 Dalits 1.85 13.21 6 Anglo – Indians 0.60 4.30 7

Others ( Ezhava, Mangloorian,Chakrava, Billava)

1.00 7.14

Total 14.00 100.00 Source: Clement Lopez (1999), “ Fishing Community & Social Sructure”, Programme for Community Organisation, Thiruvananthapuram p.29 Anjooty and Munooty are fishing communities. They are concentrated in

Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha dioceses.

DHEEVARA COMMUNITY:

The Government of Kerala brought the different sub-

sections of the Hindu fishing community under the name Dheevara in

1984. The Dheevara Sabha was formed in 1975; and it includes five sub-

sections – Arayar, Mukkuva, Mogayira,Vala and Padanna.

The traditional fishermen community of Mukkuva is

believed to have come from Sri Lanka. The fishing community among

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the Muslims is known as Mapila Muslim (Kadappurathukar). They

exhibit a well- knit social organization and marked class differentiation.

Other sectors of Christian community are reluctant to

enter into social relations with the Latin Catholics. As far as Hindu

fishermen are concerned, they are treated as untouchables by the so-

called higher caste Hindus. Other Muslims treat those Muslims who are

engaged in fishing as low class people. They are looked upon as people

with low social status and marriage alliances and other social relations

with them are often considered unthinkable for most people.

This being the general distribution in each region,

there is also a meagre presence of fisher folk from other religions.

Kannur and Kottayam have a significant number of fisher folk belonging

to the Scheduled caste Harijan and Pulaya. In inland areas, such as

Wayanad, the tribal communities, Kurichian, Kuruman, Naikkan, Panian

are predominant with other communities such as Mannan, Chetty, Pulaya

and some Christian and Muslim fisherfolks.

Religion has a significant role in defining the way

fisherfolk are organized, the gender roles and their habits. Kerala is the

only State in India, where Muslims, Hindus and Christian fishing

communities each have a significant presence. These communities are

marked by separate traditions. The influence of religious leaders over

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Hindu fishermen is comparatively less. They have many superstitious

beliefs, meaningless religious ceremonies and offering to deities, as

ordained by the their ancestors. This is due to lack of education and

social isolation from other educational sections of people. The fishing

community comprising backward caste Hindus and Latin Christians,

mostly converted from low caste Hindus, has always remained as socially

backward. They remained educationally backward also. Separated from

the mainstream population socially and even geographically, the fishing

community remained socio-culturally and economically stagnant for

centuries together. Among Christian fishermen the religious traditions of

the Church have taken this place after their conversion in the 16th

century A.D (Kurien 2000) 7. Earlier the Church did not play much of a

role in resource related issues. The Church has dominant power in the

political, social and economic life of fishermen folk.

The fishing community has not made any serious

attempt to participate and derive benefit from political parties. This is

particularly true of the Christian and Muslim fisherfolk, for whom

religious identity has been more important than community identity. In

addition, the Catholic Church, one of the best organizational set-ups in

the world, does not provide much room for its laity to emerge as socio-

political leaders. Religion plays a major role in determining people’s

126

attitude towards education. It is said that Christianity generally supports

education. However, till recently, earning of wealth and education was

not considered by the Catholic Church as a sign of achievement in the

case of fishermen.

In any case, within the communities in inland sector,

there are no indications of increased competition and conflict as in the

marine sector.

Sex- ratio and average house hold size:

Kerala has a unique position in regard to the sex ratio.

In all the census, females outnumbered males in Kerala with 1058

females per 1000 males (Census Report 2001) 8, which is contrary to the

all India pattern for the general population. But the sex ratio indicated by

the number of females / 1000 males is 969 in the marine sector and 988

in inland fisheries sector. It is seen from the Table 4.2(Fig 4.2) that in sex

ratio there is a sharp difference between districts and it ranges between

761 in Idukki and 1218 in Pathanamthitta districts in the inland sector.

127

Table 4.2 - Sex-ratio in Fisherfolk in Kerala:

Sex ratio-Females/1000 males Sl. No. Districts

Inland Marine

1 Thiruvananthapuram 1054 968

2 Kollam 953 915

3 Alappuzha 965 967

4 Pathanamthitta 1218 --------

5 Kottayam 977 ---------

6 Idukki 761 ----------

7 Ernakulam 972 968

8 Trichur 980 1012

9 Palakkad 1128 -------

10 Malappuram 994 1022

11 Wayanad 936 ---------

12 Kozhikode 969 963

13 Kannur 974 949

14 Kasergode 952 963

Source: (1) Census of India 2001 (2) Economic Review 2003

128

Fig 4.2- Sex ratio of Inland Fishermen in Kerala:

1054

965 977

761

1218

1128

980953

972 994

936

952

974

969

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

TVM KLM ALP PTA KTM IDK EKM TSR PLK MLP WND KZKD KNR KSRDDistricts

Sex

Rat

io

Empirical analysis of female to male ratio in Kerala

reveals that, two communities- Fisher folk and Scheduled Tribe have

gender bias in their population, unlike the rest of Kerala. It is found that

female proportion among fisher folk and scheduled tribe households in

Kerala is lower than that of the State as a whole indicating female

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deprivation in such communities (Agnihotri 1995) 9, (Kurien 1995) 10,

(Pushpangadan and Murugan 2000) 11.

It is a biological phenomenon that mortality rate is

higher among males than females in human species if life saving societal

resources are distributed with out any gender bias. This may be the

reason why females outnumber males particularly in cross-section of

general population (Sen 1998) 12.

A study conducted in Kerala in 1998 provides the

following information regarding the sex ratio in fishermen community

(Zachariaha.K.C 1999). 13

Females have a higher chance of getting sick from water-borne and

sanitation related diseases and more prone to health risk in the

fishing region compared with rest of Kerala.

There occurs a gender inequality in the allocation of food in the

families. The male get enough food for their strenuous work of

fishing and the females cannot meet all their nutritional

requirements.

The females postpone taking of meals during daytime as most of

the families are without in- house latrine facilities. The combined

effect of insufficient food supply and of forced postponement of

taking food late in the evening would further reduce the nutritional

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status of females. This would increase the chances of female

getting sick leading to lower life expectancy and longevity.

The migration of fishermen from one place to another in search of

fish and settling for some years may be another reason for the

increased male numbers.

It can be seen that different studies without exception

show an unfavorable sex-ratio among fishing households(Table 4.3).

Table- 4.3-Survey of Female to Male Sex-ratio in Fishing Households:

Source : EPW, Vol:XV 111,19-21, p.855.

SL.No

Study

Source

Region

Female/ male sex-ratio

1 Government of Kerala (1983)

Facts& Figures(1979) Thiruvananthapuram Districts

980

2 Gulathi (1984) Census (1971) Thiruvananthapuram District

979


Techno socioeconomic survey (1985)

Thiruvananthapuram District

927


Socio economic survey of fishermen (1985)

Some panchayaths of Thiruvananthapuram District

902

5 Vimala Kumari (1992)

Census (1981) Thiruvananthapuram District

954

6 Programme for Community Organisation (1999)

Survey (1997) Thiruvananthapuram District

924

7 Pushpagadan& Murugan (2000)

Sample survey (1998) Thiruvananthapuram district

917

Size and Structure of House holds:

Based on relationship among members, a family is

categorized as nuclear, jointed or extended. A nuclear family comprises

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husband, wife and children. A nuclear family with their close relatives,

staying in the same house is considered a joint family. A family in which

distant relatives or friends stay together in the same house with or

without separate kitchen is considered an extended family.

The size of households is an important factor in the

fishing community. The size of households in the sampled areas varies

considerably. But to a great extent, the size of fishermen family is not so

small (considering a small family as husband, wife and a child) in the

study areas. In most of the sampled regions, the number of fishermen

family consists of 4- 6 members. In southern and northern areas of the

state, the size of the family is somewhat big, but in the middle parts of

Kerala, it is small. The statistical information relating the size of the

family is entered in Table 4.4(Fig 4.3).

From the Table, it can be seen that the number of

fishermen household from the range 1-3 is 8.27 percent, 4-6 is 70.68

percent, 7-10 is 16.84 percent and more than ten is only 4.21 percent.

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Table 4.4- Number of members in Fishermen households:

:

Source: Personal Survey–2005.

Sl.No Number of family members Number of

Households

Percentage

1 1-3 110 8.27

2 4-6 940 70.68

3 7-10 224 16.84

4 More than ten 56 4.21

Total 1330 100

Fig 4.3 – Number of members in fishermen households:

family size

4-671%

1-38%

>104%

7-1017%

Almost 78.95 percent (70.68+ 8.27) of the families

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are of nuclear type, 16.84 percent families are of joint type and only

4.21 percent are of the extended family type. Table 4.5(Fig.4.4) shows

the age structure of the total population of inland fishermen studied.

Here also the sex-ratio is found to be

disproportionate in almost all age groups. The Population is larger in the

age group 0-4, 15-34 and 35-59 .

Table 4.5-Age Structure of Sex of the Inland Fishermen: Total population Number Population percentage Age-Group

Male Female Total Male Female

0-4 1120 988 2108 23.39 21.11

5-14 440 532 972 9.19 11.37

15-34 1746 1558 3304 36.47 33.29

35-59 1186 1456 2642 24.77 31.11

60+ 296 146 442 6.18 3.12

Total 4788 4680 9468 50.57 49.43

Source: Personal Survey –2005.

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Fig 4.4 – Age structure of sex of inland fishermen:

23.39

9.19

36.47

24.77

6.18

21.11

11.37

33.29

31.11

3.12

0.00

5.00

10.00

15.00

20.00

25.00

30.00

35.00

40.00

0-4 5-14 15-34 35-59 >60Age Group

Perc

enta

ge

M

F

Table 4.6- Family planning in Fishermen households : Sl.No. Family planning Number of households Percentage

1 Adopted Family Planning

measures

810 60.90

2 Not adopted Family

Planning measures

520 39.10

Total 1330 100

Source : Personal Survey–2005.

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Facts and figures on family planning in fishermen

households in the study area were also collected which is presented in

Table 4.6. (Fig.4.5)

Fig 4.5 – Adoption of Family Planning Measures among Inland

Fishermen:

Not adopted39%

Adopted61%

It can be seen from the Table that more than half of

the fishermen households in the study area believed in family planning

and 39 percent households were not adopting any family planning

measures.

Average marriage age and Dowry system:

The average marriage age of a girl or boy is found to

be 21- 24 years. Even though the dowry system is prohibited in Kerala,

this problem is very serious among these inland fishermen. Even in a

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poor family the dowry demand for marrying a girl is very high and is like

30 sovereigns of gold and Rs. 30,000- Rs. 50,000 as cash for the

bridegroom. Some girls may remain unmarried up to the age of 27 or 29

on account of this bargaining. Here the moneylenders extend their

helping hands to these people.

Educational status of Inland fishermen:

Literacy and educational attainments are the

indicators of qualitative improvement in human resources. It is the hall-

mark of Kerala’s social advancement. According to human capital

approach, inequalities in income distribution are explained by the

productivity differences arising from educational status. Historical data

from Kerala suggests that the connection between economic factors and

educational attainment was strong and that educational development by

itself might not bring about educational equalization in a highly

structured and hierarchical society (Joseph Thomas 1998) 14. There is a

positive correlation between the growth of education at primary,

secondary and tertiary levels and economic development of a community.

Family background influences mental ability of

children through pre- natal and postnatal care, intake of food and the

ability to go through a sustained educational process. Parental income and

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illhealth indicate the ability of parents to finance the cost of the education

of their children (Bhagavathi, Jagadish 1973) 15. Inequality in access to

funds may lead to differences in educational attainments and hence

occupational and earning differences.

Parental position in the hierarchy of relations is an

important aspect of socio- economic background. It develops in children’s

personality traits corresponding to particular class structures and is re-in

forced in the schools (Samuel Bowels 1972) 16. These personality traits

play a major role in determining one’s success in gaining higher incomes.

Fisherfolk’s low financial capacity and lack of

sufficient human capital were the major factors that hindered their

educational attainments. George (1998) 17 claimed that the inadequacy of

political mobilization and consolidation of the community, contributed to

the educational backwardness of the marine fisher folk. Educational

backwardness is an integral part of the overall in-equality and

marginalisation of the fisherfolk.

Most of the inland fishermen and their family

members in our study area are found to be educated i.e. among inland

fishermen family the proportion of illiteracy is less (Appendix-13). The

education level of the village fishermen, especially in Idukki, Palakkad,

Malappuram, Kannur and Kasergode is somewhat less, owing to the lack

138

of proper educational facilities in the village and the necessity of family

fishing work. Most of the family members of the fishermen households

could read and write. Illiteracy is sharply declining among the younger

generation. But it is a very unfortunate fact that the youth of fishermen

households are not able to derive maximum advantage of education from

various institutions and secure a job for livelihood.

The general literacy attainment of the inland fishing

household is relatively high compared with other communities. The total

literacy rate is found to be 85.32 percent, which is near to the State literacy

level (Table 4.7). Kerala has the highest literacy rate and stands at the top

among other States with male literacy 94.20 percent and female literacy

87.89 percent and total literacy 90.92 percent in the Year 2000 (Economic

Review 2003) 18. Among the population studied, it is found that the

females are more educated than males (Table-4.8). Compared to the rate of

male literacy, which is estimated to be 42.27 percent, female literacy rate is

higher which is found to be 43.05 percent. The high level of female

literacy does not seem to have contributed to higher status of them in

fishing community, which is highly male dominated.

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Fig 4.6 – Educational qualification of inland fishermen (in %):

15.00

18.00 12.00

18.00

13.00

11.00

10.00

13.00

13.00

8.90

14.00

5.00

9.80

3.004.40

12.00

0%

100%

M F

Gender

P.GGraduateHigher SecSSLCHSUPPrimaryLiterateIlleterate

1.1 2.4

Table.4.7- Literacy rate of India and Kerala : Year India Kerala

1951 16.67 40.47

1961 24.02 56.85

1971 29.45 60.42

1981 36.03 70.42

1991 52.21 89.81

2001 65.38 90.92

Source : Economic Review 2003. p.267.

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Table 4.8- Literacy rate of Inland Fishermen:

Sex

Illiterate percentage

Literate percentage

Male 6.38 42.27

Female 8.30 43.05

Total 14.68 85.32

Source : Personal Survey –2005.

Considering the illiteracy rate of the two sexes, it is

seen that females are more illiterate than males with 8.30 percent, while

male illiteracy is only 6.38 percent of the population. Table 4.9 shows the

distribution of inland fishermen on the basis of educational status.

Table 4.9- Distribution of Inland Fishermen on the Basis of Educational Status:

Male Female Total Sl. No Educational Status

No. % No. % No. %

1 Illiterate 436 12.19 557 15.12 993 13.69

2 Literate to S.S. L.C 2490 69.61 2288 62.12 4778 65.81

3 +2 to P.G 319 8.93 649 17.62 968 13.33

4 Professional Degree ____ _____ ____ ____ ____ ____

5 Technical 279 7.80 12 0.33 291 4.0

6 Paraprofessionals 47 1.30 162 4.40 209 2.88

7 Teachers 6 0.17 15 0.41 21 0.29

Total 3577 100 3683 100 7260 100

Source : Personal Survey - 2005.

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It is observed that 65.81 percent of fishermen are

literate and most of them either studied up to S.S.L.C level or passed the

S.S.L.C examination. But again the percentage of females entered in the

S.S.L.C level is higher (13 percent) (Appendix-XIII), compared to males

(8.90 percent). The number of households with graduates and post

graduates is higher in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Aleppey

and Ernakulam , compared to less developed Northern districts. The folks

having technical education are mostly males and are found to be educated

from I .T C, I .T .I and Polytechniques. They have acquired the skills of

plumbing, civil work and electrical work from these institutions and most

of them are working in these fields with other people in their locality.

Finding alternative opportunities to earn a livelihood is seen among the

youth of inland fishermen, who seek some sort of education. Girls after

their failure in S.S.L.C exam; have started studying stitching and

tailoring. But they cannot complete their studies due to their financial

difficulties (to pay Rs. 50 per month as fees) and even if they complete

studies they are not in a position to own a sewing machine. Of the

samples surveyed only 12 girls have completed their studies and owned a

machine. Out of this four girls availed of loan from some nearby banks

and other sources for buying a sewing machine. Even if they own a

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machine, they are not getting enough orders from the customers for

stitching; and so are very much desperate. Para medical courses like

nursing, laboratory technician courses and X- ray technician courses are

the other fields, which the fishermen girls prefer. From the survey, I have

come to the conclusion that, no one has actually done the nursing degree

course, most of them have done mid- wifery or nursing assistant or

general nursing courses and are working in small clinics without much

remuneration. Owing to the lack of influence and money, the community

always remains at the bottom and has never been able to acquire a job of

their qualification. In the present situation nursing people get good jobs

abroad. But these qualified nurses are not able to attain this goal, as it

requires nearly Rs. 65,000/- to obtain a visa from an agent. Taking risks,

27 girls have managed to go abroad. To meet the expenses, they borrow

money from Tamil moneylenders for high rates of interest and from local

private banks nearby.

It can be seen that 5 percent of the males and 14

percent of females of the total fishermen population of the sampled area

have done Higher Secondary; the number of male fishermen folk who

have passed Degree Course is 3 percent and that of females is 4.4 percent

and the number of Post Graduate is 1.1 percent in the case of males and

2.4 percent in the case of females (Appendix-XIII). The secondary and

143

higher levels of education are more for women than for men. Despite

several favourable factors like reservation of seats, stipends and

scholarships, not many children of fisherfolk get through University

examinations though many do enroll for Higher Secondary and Degree

courses. They are found more interested in obtaining stipend or lump sum

grant than in learning. No professional Course students or persons with

Engineering or M.B.B.S Degree were found among the inland fishermen.

The percentage of teachers was very negligible (0.17 percent) in the case

of males and only 0.41 percent in the case of females. A few teachers

were found working in Anganvadi and primary schools (un-aided).

The majority of the fishermen households send their

children to Malayalam – medium schools. Only children of parents

working abroad (Gulf countries) or doing some other works like

plumbing or masonary send their children to nearby English–medium

schools. This forms only a small percentage.

Table 4.10- Medium of Instruction of Schools Attended by the Children of Inland Fishermen :

Medium of

instructions

Christians

Muslims

Hindus

Total

Percentage

Malayalam medium 852 110 320 1262 94.88

English medium 57 4 7 68 5. 12

Total 889 114 327 1330 100


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Religion has a definite influence on education. Mostly

Christian leaders encourage secular education by offering several aids to

the school - going children like uniform, books, school bags, umbrella

etc. So the rate of education and number of children attending the school

is high in the case of Christians (Table 4.10& 4.11). Muslim leaders do

not seem very serious about education and so the school – going children

among Muslims is very low. Hindu leaders do not have direct influence

on education of the community, although the Hindu fisherfolks were the

first to get educational grants on caste criteria.

The fishermen depend mostly on Government or aided

institutions for educating their children (Table 4.11 & Fig.4.7). Parents

are of the opinion that it is easier to get the scholarships, lump sum grants

and noon–meals provided by the Government to promote education from

these institutions.

It was their unanimous opinion that the grants allotted

to each student by Government are very low and quite insufficient for

meeting any of the expenses occurring in the Schools. A student studying

in S.S. L.C is getting only Rs. 250 /-per annum; that also not in time. Un-

aided institutions are not showing any interest in drawing these amounts

from the government and disbursing the same to the beneficiaries.

145

Nowadays all children of school – going age are

admitted to schools. But all of them do not reach the high-school level.

There are many dropouts because of family circumstances (Table 4.12).

Drop-outs are persons who joined the regular school, but discontinued

studies before completing the secondary course. Those who appeared for

the S.S.L.C examination but did not get through are not considered

dropouts.

Table 4.11 - Types of Schools Attended by the Fisherfolk Children: Types of Schools

Christians

Muslims

Hindus

Total

Percentage

No. of Households

Govt. Schools & Colleges

1360 203 618 2181 74. 2 855

Aided Schools & Colleges

300 60 216 576 19. 6 314

Un-aided institutions

133 10 39 182 6. 2 188

1793 273 873 2939 100 1330

Source : Personal Survey – 2005.

Fig 4.7 – Types of Schools Attended by the Fishermen Children:

Aided School20%

Govt School74%

Unaided Institution6%

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Table 4.12- Drop–outs and Dropout Rates among the Children of Inland Fishermen: Sex No. Enrolled No. of Drop - outs Percentage of dropouts

Male 1818 863 47.46

Female 1210 710 58.67

Total 3028 1573 51.94

Source : Personal Survey-2005.

Fig 4.8 Drop – out Percentage among Inland Fishermen children:

47.46

58.67

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Male FemaleGender

Perc

enta

ge

147

Rate of dropouts is higher among females who leave

their studies by 8th standard or 9th and start helping their mothers in

household duties. The elder daughters are mostly withdrawn from

schools on a large scale, soon after the upper primary education. The

boys also quit their studies at the high school level and roam about in

villages in search of some small jobs or assistance works. Most of them

do not want to go for fishing as an occupation. The education, which they

received from local schools, does not qualify them to compete for jobs

outside the fishing sector where employment opportunities are already

scarce. But due to financial pressure at home, they turn to toddy tapping

(Kalluchethu), masonry (Kalpany) etc. For the poorest part of the

population, diversification is therefore the expression of their daily

struggle in trying to make ends meet. For them, diversification indeed is a

matter of survival. The ability of the households to adopt more profitable

diversification strategies depends on access to the means required to

pursue such activities like skills, location, access to capital, credit,

education etc.

Though a basic and radical change is yet to take place

in the fishing community, a critical group, which could gain access to

education, has already emerged.

148

LIVELIHOOD STANDARDS OF THE COMMUNITY:

The following set of social indicators shows the

livelihood standards of the inland fishing communities in general in

comparison with that of Kerala in general.

HOUSING :

One of the most important reasons for the poor quality of

life and sub–standard conditions of habitat of the fishing community in

Kerala State is the crowding of the whole community in certain regions,

where they get more access to more water bodies nearby. So the housing

conditions remain poor. This is also seen in the landholding patterns,

among them.

According to the 2001 census report, there are 36.36

lakhs pucca houses , 23.30 lakh semi pucca houses and 5.33 lakh kutcha

houses in Kerala. (Table 4.13).

149

Table 4.13- Housing situations in Kerala :

Sl. No

Types of Houses

Numbers in Lakhs (2001)

1 Pucca Houses 36.36

2 Semi pucca Houses(livable houses) 23.30

3 Kutcha Houses (Dilapidated) 5.33

Source: Economic Review (2003) State Planning Board, Kerala p.297.

The houses of inland fishermen in the sampled area

provide a vivid picture. They use different types of materials including

bamboo, stone, bricks, cement, wood, sheets etc. to construct walls of

their houses and use traditional roof tiles, palm leaves, corrugated and

other sheets, asbestose, cement, R. C. C slabs etc.for roof. They use mud,

cement and mosaic as the floor material. The information regarding the

types of houses is given in Table 4.14.

Of the total population surveyed, 34 percent live in

kutcha houses, made of wooden walls and thatched with corrugated

sheets or palm leaves, 35.41 percent live in huts, 20.23 percent in semi-

pucca houses.

150

Table 4.14- Distribution of Inland fishermen households by type of Houses:

Types of Houses Sl.

No.

Districts

Pucca Semi-Pucca Kutcha Huts

1 Thiruvananthapuram 18 12 31 39

2 Kollam 8 26 43 23

3 Alappuzha 17 30 28 25

4 Pathanamthitta 12 31 29 28

5 Kottayam 21 37 23 19

6 Idukki _______ 13 36 51

7 Ernakulam 24 12 31 33

8 Thrissur 6 20 29 45

9 Palakkad 1 28 33 38

10 Malappuram 3 18 41 38

11 Kozhikode 6 10 39 45

12 Wayanad ______ 3 12 15

13 Kannur 3 18 52 27

14 Kasergode 1 11 43 45

Total 120(9.02) 269(20.23) 470(35.34) 471(35.41)

Source : Personal Survey -2005.

151

Fig 4.9 – Housing Conditions in Inland Fishermen:

Pucca9%

Semipucca20%

Kutcha36%

Huts35%

Pucca

Semipucca

Kutcha

Huts

with two rooms and a kitchen and 9.02 percent live in pucca houses

made of concrete roof and 3-5 rooms and a kitchen; and they have

cement, red- oxide or mosaic floorings. During monsoon season, the

water level around the houses rises, and enters into their courtyards and

even inside their houses.

OWNERSHIP OF LAND AND HOUSE:

Food, clothes and shelter are the primary necessities

of human beings. Details regarding the ownership of land of inland

fishermen in the study area are given in Table 4.15.

152

Table 4.15- Details Regarding the Ownership of Land of Inland Fishermen:

Sl. No. Size of Land (in Cents) No. of House holds Percentage 1 0 –5 508 38.20

2 5- 10 406 30.53

3 10-15 302 22.71

4 15- 20 73 5.48

5 20- 25 28 2.10

6 25 and above 13 0.98

Total 1330 100

Source: Personal Survey – 2005.

Fig 4.10 - Ownership of Land (in Cents):

15-20 cents5.48%

10-15 cents22.7%

5-10 cents30.5%

<5 cents38.2%

20-25 cents2.1%

>25 cents0.98%

In the study area, all inland fishermen possess land of

their own. They have acquired the ownership of land through ‘

153

Kudikidappu right (Hut settlement), Laksham veedu scheme, bought from

others or had inherited it. It is found that 38.20 percent of inland

fisherfolk had less than 5 Cents, 30.53 percent had between 5- 10 cents,

22.71 percent had between 10-15 cents, 5.48 percent had land between

15-20 Cents, 2.10 percent had property between 20- 25 cents in their

ownership. Those fishermen coming under the category above 25 Cents

are only 0.98 percent .Some of them also had 75 cents to 2 acres of paddy

fields .All the inland fishermen in the study area have their own houses in

the land,under their possession .

ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER:

As per the Census of India, if a household has access

to drinking water supplied from a tap or hand pump or tube well, situated

within or outside the premises, it is considered as having access to safe

drinking water and is only 23.39 percent in the entire country in 2001.

But as per the report of the Kerala Water Authority as on April 2003,

64.02 percent of the people in the State are having access to safe drinking

water. A comparative low percentage is shown in the Census Report,

since it has not considered for estimation, a good number of households

154

who are meeting the drinking water requirements away from their houses

(Economic Review 2003).

Table 4.16- Households and Drinking Water in Kerala : 2001 Sl. No. Availability

Nos. in Lakhs Percentage

1 Drinking water in premises 47.20 71.6

2 Drinking water near premises 10.85 16.4

3 Away from premises 7.95 12

Total 65.90 100

Source : Census Reports( 2001), Government of India,p.14.

In Kerala 47.20 lakhs (71.6 percent ) have drinking

water with in the premises, 10.85 lakhs (16.4 percent) have drinking

water near the premises and for only 12 percent households, drinking

water away from premises(Table 4.16).

The majority of inland fishermen are found living in

areas surrounded by water. Most of these waterways are polluted due to

the accumulation of pesticides, domestic discharges, fertilizers and

eutrophication. The fishermen family obtains water from these polluted

sources for their domestic needs like washing of clothes, bathing,

cleaning of utensils etc. For drinking purpose they mostly depend on

public tap water, which is supplied to these areas only twice a week.

Long queues and quarrels are common during the days when the water

come through the taps. They collect this water supplied by the Water

155

Authority mostly in plastic vessels and keep it for drinking and cooking

purposes. The household with own tap connection was a rare sight among

inland fishermen. The other sources of drinking water are their own wells

and community wells. Most of the households had complaints regarding

the water scarcity, intrusion of saline water to the water bodies, polluted

water, discoloured water etc. especially during summer months. The

usage of this water for cooking and drinking is causing many health

problems among these people.

Table 4.17 shows that 87.82 percent of the sample

fishermen households are using public tap for their drinking water which

is not in their premises, but at a distance of about 100 – 500 meters. 2.63

percent of the households have drinking water away from their premises

and depend on common wells or public taps. Thus public tap system near

the premises is more prevalent in the inland fishermen villages.

Table 4.17 – Fishermen households and Availability of Drinking Water : Sl. No. Availability Number of

Households

Percentage

1 Drinking water near premises 1168 87.82

2 Drinking water in Premises 35 2.63

3 Drinking water away from premises 127 9.55

Total 1330 100


156

However there are variations in the source of drinking

water in the fishermen villages. 95.34 percent households n the village

depend on public taps (Table 4.18) for their drinking water and only 0.38

percent have their own tap water connections; while 1.65 percent has

their own wells, only 2.63 percent.

Table 4.18 - Source of Drinking Water: Sl. No. Source Number of Households Percentage

1 Own Tap 5 0.38

2 Public Tap 1268 95.34

3 Own Well 22 1.65

4 Common Well 35 2.63

Total 1330 100


depend on common wells (community wells) for taking drinking water.

In all the cases, rather than the quantity of water quality requires

consideration.

157

Fig 4.11 - Availability of Drinking Water in Kerala and Inland Fisher men:-

87.82

2.63

9.55

71.6

16.412

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Drinking water in premises Drinking water near premises Away from premises

InlandKerala

C

HEALTH AND TOILET FACILITIES:

Sanitation and hygiene promotion activities have been

receiving increasing attention in the State of Kerala. The role of

Netherland supported sanitation programmes in the State with the

emphasis on health promotion, people’s participation and local self-

reliance has been quite significant in awakening the local governing

bodies to prioritise sanitation. With the increased number of sanitation

158

programmes, the State has reached sanitation coverage of 55 percent,

which is a way ahead of all other States in India (Census Report 2001).

The fishermen population generally wakes up early in

the morning and return late in the evening. The majority of them depend

on open land for toilet purposes. From the sampled areas, four methods

of excreta disposal were observed- use of latrines, use of land

surrounding houses, use of temporary pits near houses and use of

backwater streams.

The major problems for the construction of household

latrines among the fishermen are

Shortage of land space

High water table and

Lack of money to meet the expenditure.

Using open spaces for the toilet purposes makes the

entire riverbanks and fresh water bodies unhygienic and creates serious

health problems to the fishermen community. The women households

have to wait for the cover of darkness for their basic necessities. It is

revealed that many women suffer abdominal disorders due to their

unnatural retention. The lack of basic facilities, gives rise to poor health

conditions; contagious diseases in fishing villages spread very rapidly

under these sordid physical conditions. This is at the root of much

159

reported poor health conditions in fishing communities. Respiratory, skin

infections, diarrhoeal disorders, rise in eosinophil count in the blood and

hookworm infestation are much more prevalent in these water logged

areas. Table 4.19(Fig.4.12) shows the distribution of households by

latrine facilities. Only a small portion of the sampled households

numbering 180 (13.53) is using their own latrine facility. The vast

majority of 640 (48.12) are without latrine facilities and using open

spaces for their toilet purposes.

Table 4.19- Distribution of households by Latrine facility: Sl. No Nature of toilet No. of households Percentage

1 Modern latrine 180 13.53

2 Pit near houses 430 32.33

3 Common latrine 80 6.02

4 With out latrine 640 48.12

Total 1330 100


160

Fig.4.12 – Distribution of households by Latrine facility:

Modern Latrine14%

Pit32%

Common Latrine6%

No Latrine48%

32.3 percent have only pits surrounded with sacks or coconut leaves; as

their toilets. Only 6.02 percent share the latrine with other households.

Even though the Fisheries Department and Fishermen

Welfare Board are giving Rs.2500/- as grant, which is disbursed in two

installments for the construction of latrines near their houses, the

fishermen are not concerned about their toilet facilities and hygiene. The

local bodies are also giving grants of Rs. 1500-2000/- for the construction

of latrines. The households are complaining that all these amounts are

161

insufficient for making a good toilet and the selection of beneficiaries for

these grants is highly discriminative from the part of the authorities.

ELECTRIFICATION OF HOUSES:

The access of electricity in a house helps the effective

utilization of spare time; give more entertainment and widening the

knowledge base and awareness. In Kerala 46.33 lakhs of people (70.6

percent) have electricity and 19.19 lakhs (29.4 percent) use kerosene as

source of lighting (Table 4.20) (Economic Review 2000).

Table 4.20- Household Sources of Lighting in Kerala: 2001 Sl.No. Source

No. in Lakhs Percentage

1 Electricity 46.33 70.6

2 Kerosene 19.19 29.4

Source : (1) Census Report- 2001. (2) Economic Review-2003.

In this present study, it is found that only 46.36

percent of the fishermen households were having electric facility and the

remaining 55.64 percent of the households still depend on kerosene lamp

as the source of lighting (Table-4.21)(Fig.4.13).

162

Table 4.21- Household Source of Lighting in Fishermen Villages: Source No. of Households Percentage

Electricity 590 44.36

Kerosene 740 55.64

Total 1330 100

Source : Personal Survey – 2005

Fig 4.13– Household Source of Lighting in Kerala & Fishermen villages( in %):

44.36

70.6

55.64

29.4

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Inland Fishermen Kerala

Kerosene

Electricity

HOUSE HOLD AMENITIES:

The possession of household amenities like chairs,

tables, cots, almirahs, clocks, fans, radio, television, washing machine,

mixie, grinder, tape recorder, refrigerator etc. is an indicator of the living

conditions of the members of the family. The possession of more

amenities by a family reflects the better living condition and economic

condition of the household.

163

Table 4.22- Average Number of Amenities for the Fishermen households :

Sl.No Amenities Number No. of households Percentage

1 Chairs 800 320 24.06

2 Tables 218 210 15.76

3 Cots 380 153 11.50

4 Almirahs 81 69 5.19

5 Clock 167 150 11.28

6 Fan 200 128 9.62

7 Radio 210 197 14.82

8 Television 58 58 4.36

9 Mixie 20 20 1.50

10 Tape recorder 23 23 1.73

11 Refrigerator 2 2 0.15

Source :Personal Survey –2005.

Table 4.22 shows that on the average, the number of fishermen

households with chairs is 24.06 percent, with table is 15.79 percent,

cots–11.50 percent, fan- 9.62 percent, radio – 14.82 percent, television-

4.36 percent, mixie- 1.50 percent, tape recorder 1.73 percent and

refrigerator for only 0.15 percent of the population studied. The

possessions of household amenities are less compared to those of the

general population of Kerala.

164

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES:

The attitude of inland fishermen community towards

cultural and social activities is tested by measuring their level of interest

in reading or listening to news papers, listening to radio, television

programmes, seeing cinema, attending cultural programmes and other

social activities like marriage, funeral, other gatherings and participation

in different organizations.

Table 4.23 – Attitude of Inland Fishermen Towards Cultural activities :

Sl. No. Activities No.of households Percentage

1 Reading and listening to

news papers and magazines

817 61.42

2 Listening to radio 213 16.02

3 Watching T.V programmes 106 7.97

4 Seeing cinema 175 13.16

5 Attendingcultural

programmes

19 1.43

Total 1330 100


It is seen from the Table 4.23 that out of the 1330

household respondents, 817 (61.42 percent) have the habit of reading or

listening to newspapers and other magazines; but depends on the small

teashops or pan shops or small libraries for reading or listening to

165

newspapers. The young boys collect magazines from nearby houses or

libraries and give the same to the ladies of their houses for reading. Most

of them enjoy the serial stories in Malayala Manorama, Mangalam and

Kanyaka weeklies. They are not in the habit of serious reading but

consider reading as a way of passing time. 213 (16.02 percent)

households listen to radio programmes, 106 households (7.97 percent)

watch television programmes. Most of them depend on other neighbour’s

houses for watching television programmes. The habit of listening to the

radio or television programmes regularly is essential for knowing the

changes that are taking place in the society. 175 (13.16percent) are in the

habit of going for cinema. Mostly the younger boys go for movies and

they describe the story to the women folk of their houses. Only 1.43

percent of the sampled population, mainly women and children attend

cultural programmes especially in religious institutions like temple,

church or mosques. Men are mostly interested in playing cards, going to

toddy shops or taking rest during their leisure time.

The members of the family do not enbloc attend the

marriage or funeral ceremonies of their relatives. In most cases ladies and

children represent the households for these ceremonies and give some

contributions like money or vessels depending upon their capabilities. A

166

common complaint that was heard from the households is regarding the

expenses for attending these ceremonies.

The participation of people in political parties, trade

unions and co–operative societies is another indicator of their social and

political consciousness. Table 4.24 represents the participation of

respondent fishermen in these activities.

Table 4.24 – Participation of Inland Fishermen in Different Organizations : Sl.No. Participation in organizations No. of households Percentag

e

1 Political parties 141 10. 60

2 Trade unions 197 14. 81

3 Co – operative societies 992 74. 59

Total 1330 100


It can be seen that 74.59 of inland fishermen are

members of co- operative societies, 14.81 percent of the respondents

have association with trade union movements and only 10 .60 percent

have involvement in political parties. It is a sign that more and more

fishermen are associating themselves with co–operative societies and

trade unions of their area. From the data it is clear that the inland

fishermen are least bothered about the political parties and political issues

of the State.

167

GENDER BASED DIVISION OF LABOUR:

There is a considerable gender based division of

labour in the fisheries sector. The fishing related activities could be

roughly divided into catch, culture, processing and selling. Catch and

culture activities are often carried out mainly by men. In the case of

marine capture fisheries, men form the majority of the labour force

because marine fishing is heavily industrialized, is considered dangerous

work and includes long periods where the fishers cannot return home to

the families. In inland capture fisheries, it is common to see women

fishing or supporting their husbands fishing activities. This includes

actively helping to catch, process and market the fish caught. Processing

of fish, in times of abundant supply for family and sale is a common

activity for women. Men are rarely involved in this section. Women

show extraordinary skills when engaged in shrimp picking. Selling fish is

one of the many activities that women perform well. Women have good

experience in marketing and women traders often outnumber male

vendors in inland fishing.

168

WOMEN’S INVOLVEMENT IN INLAND FISHERIES:

Women have an active role in Kerala’s fishing

community. They contribute to around 40 percent of the total household

income (Nair, 1998) 19. Women are involved in an array of activities in

the pre- harvesting (net- making), harvesting and post harvesting with the

major part of activity focused in post harvesting.

The gender-based division of labour in fishing varies

among different religions. Most of the women from Latin Catholic and

Hindu Araya community go to distant markets carrying the head load for

selling and also participate in the economic activities relating to fish

processing, buying etc. In Muslim community, very few women enter the

fishing economy; especially in the northern region they confine

themselves to their roles as mothers and providers of the basic needs of

their family. Anyway women make an almost equal contribution as men.

They act as a buffer income when their husbands’ income fluctuates.

Away from fishing sector, they also work in other production areas like

agriculture (Padathaepani), beedi- making, coir –making and also as

housemaids. Women’s involvement in catching shrimp and mussel is

seen only in few places like Kannur, Kasergode and Ernakulam.

169

Women have used different coping strategies to deal

with these changing situations, such as forming groups and trying their

best to stick to their livelihood, as there is no other viable alternative.

Developments in the processing industry have provided opportunities to

women to diversify as peelers in this field. Gracy (1998) 20 has observed

that even in communities where women have a relative economic

independence, it is the man who makes the decision in the family and in

the community. Even if the women are earning and having economic

independence, in fisheries sector, this independence is not transferred to

any form at the social level. The State’s discrimination against women is

vivid from the fact that it does not provide any social security initiatives

for the empowerment of women, while it provides an array of social

security schemes for men in fishing communities(Kurien & Paul, 2000)21.

However over the years, men are away from home for long spells of

hours of the day, it is the women who often have sole responsibility for

the family, child minding and household management tasks. Women

provide an essential communication link whilst the spouse is at fishing.

They keep the track of expenditure and revenues, deal with the bank and

other financial agents for the payment and settling of loans, go to

governmental agencies to receive their concessions and benefits, and

make arrangements to cope with the financial crisis.

170

Interactions with the women of different communities

revealed that there are marked differences in the manner in which they

express themselves or participate in local affairs. Catholic and Hindu

women are very outspoken, have their own points of view, ask many

questions about the problems of life in general and therefore, move easily

into and out of more analytical ways of thinking. This does not mean that

these women give up their own religious references. Their daily life is

very closely knit into the way of religious references, most likely

accentuated by stereotype norms of women’s behaviour, which have their

roots in the various religious faiths.

Owing to the lack of good education and

entrepreneurial skills, women were not capitalising the opportunities for

alternative employment in full. Women’s blunt and talkative nature

associated with their involvement is highly competitive. Vending

activities also tend to make them inherently unsuited to occupation very

different from that nature (Rajan 1994) 22.

Table 4.25 shows the occupational distribution of

female households in the sampled population. Most of the women folk

(52.18 percent) remain as housewives. 33.23 percent of women adopt job

as fish vendors and 10.98 percent as daily wageworkers or self-

171

employed. Only a small percentage (3.61 percent) works in the

processing industry as shrimp peelers.

Table 4.25 – Occupational Distribution of Female Households : Sl. No. Occupation No. of households Percentage

1 House Wife 694 52.18

2 Fish Vending 442 33.23

3 Workers in processing

Industry

48 3.61

4 Self-employed (tailoring, wage

workers, House maids)

146 10.98

Total 1330 100

Source : Personal Survey –2005.

FOOD PATTERN OF FISHERMEN HOUSEHOLDS:

The analysis of food pattern is important to know the

health and nutritional status of the community. Nutritional status is

closely related to the health, economic, politic and social status and also

is directly influenced by food consumption. If the fishermen community

has a good nutritional status, the people will have better workability and

capacity in which in turn can improve their overall well-being.

The major part of the income of an average

fishermen household is spent on food; but the daily intake of the

fishermen population in the study area on an average lies far below the

172

required level both in terms of quality and quantity. Food and

Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and World health Organisation (WHO)

had recommended a minimum of 2223 calories per day per person for

the people of Asia and Far East (FAO 1971)23. In India, the Planning

Commission had defined the‘poverty line’ on the basis of the

recommended nutritional requirements of 2400 calories per person per

day in rural areas and 2100 calories in urban areas (Government of India

1978) 24. Considering the age and sex combination of the State’s

population, Centre for Development Studies has fixed the calorie norm

for the people of Kerala at 2200 per day (UNO 1975) 25.

The inland fishermen households are not endowed

with respect to the food security issues. Only 21.95 percent of the

households are considered to be fully able to cover their food needs over

the whole year (Table 4.26). The food shortage takes place between the

end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season (May- July),

when the fishing activity is low.

173

Table 4.26 –Status of Households in Food Security: Food Security No. of households Percentage

Able to cover the food needs throughout

the year

292 21.95

Do not cover the food needs throughout

the year

1038 78.05

Total 1330 100

Personal Survey – 2005.

For those who face this seasonal food shortage, the

respondents indicate that the usual copying strategy is to borrow money

from rich nearby people or from moneylenders or to sell some household

assets. Livestock, therefore seems to play an important role to minimize

risk in these situations and can be liquidated at times of economic crisis

to earn food.

The proportion of agricultural products in the diet is

always higher than that of protein food in the case of inland fishermen.

The staple food is rice and tapioca, those who can afford some meat or

milk in their diet are fewer, but the contribution of food shows an

increase. According to food groups, the availability at the family level is

shown in the Table 4.27. Vegetables, fruits, milk and meat are not a

regular part in their diet.

174

Table 4.27- Food Availability at the Family Level: Sl.No Total food groups available No. of households Percentage

1 Staple food & fish 1086 81.65

2 Staple food, fish, & meat, milk, fruits,

vegetables now and then

82 6.17

3 Staple food, fish & milk and

vegetables now and then

162 12.18

Total 1330 100


Even though the inland fishermen are catching highly

tasteful varieties like etroplus, mullet, chanos and prawns, the kind of

inland fish they bring home and consumed is much less. In most of the

inland fishing villages, the inland fish consumption is very low and they

depend on marine species like sardine, mackeral, shell- fish, crabs and

small shrimps in their diet. It is observed that the inland fish workers are

forced to sell whatever they catch to earn income to clear their debts and

so the fish and cash for own consumption are drastically reduced

affecting the nutritional standards of the family. Field investigations

revealed that the sharing of catch among crew for own consumption

remains more or less intact, which to a great extent prevented the

reduction in consumption of this animal protein among fishing

communities in the background of significant price hike. Some of the

fishermen bring home the damaged shrimps and small fishes, which are

175

difficult to sell. The frequency of inland fish brought home for own

consumption is given in Table 4.28

Table 4.28 – Frequency of Inland Fish Brought to Home for Own Consumption: Frequency of own consumption No. of households Percentage

Every day 722 54.28

1 – 2 times per week 143 10.75

3 – 4 times per week 381 28.65

Almost never 84 6.32

Total 1330 100


The recommended quantities of major food items in

the diet of the people of Kerala are shown in the Table 4.29.

Table 4.29 – Recommended Quantities of Major Food Items in the Diet (Quantity in grams) : Food items Per capita daily recommended amount Cereals 440 Pulses 45 Leafy vegetables 100 Other vegetables 40 Roots & tubers 50 Milk 150 Total 825

Source : Government of India ( 1982) “ Facts about our Diets”, Food and nutrition Board, New Delhi, p.13. The actual per capita consumption of the major items

in the diet of inland fishermen is found to be very low in the studied

households of Kerala (Table 4.30). In the case of all major food items

actual daily food intake of fishermen population is very low compared to

the recommended levels. In the household survey, a relatively high

176

percentage of carbohydrate is consumed; pulses, vegetables and milk,

which are mainly proteinaceous food do not form a part of their daily life.

Table 4.30: - Actual Per Capita Daily Food Intake of Inland Fishermen :

Food items Actual amount of per

capita consumption

(in grams)

Deficiency Percentage

Cereals 358 82 18.64

Pulses 12 32 73.37

Leafy

vegetables

18 82 82.00

Other

svegetables

16 24 60

Roots and

tubers

38 12 24

Milk 63 87 58

Total 505 319 38.67

Source :Personal Survey – 2005.

This leaves the population vulnerable to many diseases. But mostly the

protein requirements of the body are met through the regular

consumption of fish, crabs and prawns in their diet.

177

A large proportion of the population is still facing

recurrent shortages and do not seem to be in control of their destiny. The

future is essentially dictated by the hazards of the environment. In areas,

where, the people livelihood depend so heavily on natural resources,

changes in the environmental situation have usually a very large impact

on the community well- being. This reality is what the respondents

express when they admitted that the key factor which conditions the

wealth improvement of the household is “ luck in activity”.

REFERENCES:

1. Kannan,K.P.(1999), Poverty Alleviation as Advancing Basic Human Capabilities: Kerala’s Achievement Compared, Working Paper No.294, Thiruvananthapuram, Center for Development Studies.

2. Government of Kerala. (1990), Kerala Fisheries – Facts and

Figures (1980 & 1990), Department of Fisheries, Thiruvananthapuram, p. 27.

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