aDepartment of Studies in Commerce, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Karnataka.
bDepartment of Fisheries Economics, College of Fisheries, Mangalore, Karnataka.
The paper has studied the supply chain system of input supply in a highly risky and variable production environment and the role of cooperative in the collective management of land and other resources. The functioning of a fisherwomen cooperative in coastal Karnataka has been studied in terms of management of common drying land (3.30 acres), supply chain management of salt (320 tonnes/year) and provision of credit to its 1073 members pursuing individual enterprises. The Society which initiated the collective supply of salt in the year 1978 with an initial turnover of Rs 30000 is now able to supply salt of more than 315 tonnes to around 70 members. The efficient management of resources and inputs has resulted in earning of an average profit of Rs 200,000/year. The Society has developed an efficient supply chain management for salt by linking the actual member demand, logistics, transport, inventory management and distribution based on the total demand of salt. The regular supply of salt at a price 30–40 per cent less than the market price, adds to its benefits. The collective bargaining ability of the Cooperative has enabled the members to enjoy the common drying land at the same lease rent for nearly 3 decades. The working capital has increased from a mere Rs 30,000 in 1977 to Rs 320, 300 in 2010.
