Abstract:

Ornamental fish breeding, rearing and production is an emerging business in India and has the opportunity for major growth, especially in domestic trade. In Maharashtra State, the Rainbow Revolution scheme was started in 2007. About 305 men and women are beneficiaries of this scheme. Gender role profiles of the ornamental fish producers are used to explore the differences between men and women’s access to and control over resources in the ornamental fish enterprises in the northern coastal Maharashtra districts of Thane and Mumbai. Information was collected using semi-structured interviews and stakeholder meetings. Out of 90 farms, people on 30 farms were interviewed. The gender roles profile was studied using the Harvard analytical framework. The participation and time spent by men in the ornamental unit was significantly higher (8 hrs day^-1 average) than that by the women (4 hrs day^-1 average). Of the farms sampled, 22 units were owned by men and 8 by women, and men were found to have higher access and control over resources. Community norms, including the prevailing social hierarchy, demographic factors and the access to special training on ornamental fisheries were the major factors influencing people in taking up this venture. The study suggests that the role of women in ornamental fish production can be enhanced through targeted schemes for women with a focus on increasing ownership and training programmes. This will make the business more equitable and sustainable.

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Date 2017/12/31

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