Consensus based assessment of constraints faced by Marine Fisheries Cooperative Societies in Maharashtra, India

Marine fisheries cooperatives in the state of Maharashtra, India have a history of over hundred years. However, like other organizations, fisheries cooperatives also face constraints and thus this study, explores the constraints faced by them. About 15 per cent (39) functional marine cooperatives from all coastal districts i.e., Mumbai suburban, Mumbai, Sindhudurg, Thane, Ratnagiri and Raigad were selected in proportion to the total number of cooperatives for equal representation from each district and also based on number of members. Pilot study revealed number of constraints faced by marine fisheries cooperative societies. These constraints were categorized in broad groups which were related to limited policy implementation, financial and marketing, fishing grounds, cooperative administration and infrastructure. Interview schedule was administered to head/executive committee members of the cooperative viz. chairperson/secretary/members of Board of Management. Agreement towards constraints was studied using a five point Likert scale which were assigned appropriate weights using consensus based assessment method. Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to test the hypothesis if there was statistically significant difference with respect to constraint faced among districts. It was reported that financial and management constraints were major followed by fishing ground constraints and administration constraints. Statistically significant difference was found between districts for the constraints like lack of basic facilities at landing centre, lengthy documentation for government schemes, poor financial assistance by nationalized banks, conflicts with purse-seine operators, sand accumulation at harbour, conflicts with government officials and poor transportation facility. It is clear from the study that few constraints faced by the cooperatives are same. However, some of the constraints differ among districts and will require interventions specific to districts. Cooperatives can play a proactive role to avail of the schemes provided by the Central and State government especially with respect to the newly formed Ministry of Fisheries by Government of India.