FAO Fisheries Report No. 724

Report of the
NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON BEST PRACTICES IN MICROFINANCE PROGRAMMES FOR WOMEN IN COASTAL FISHING COMMUNITIES IN INDIA

Panaji, Goa, India, 1–4 July 2003

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Villareal, L.V.; Upare, M.A.
Report of the National Workshop on Best Practices in Microfinance Programmes for Women in Coastal Fishing Communities in India. Panaji, Goa, India, 1-4 July 2003.
FAO Fisheries Report. No. 724. Rome, FAO. 2003. 50p.

ABSTRACT

In most societies, as in India, small-scale fishing and fish farming households are considered to be one of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. Microfinance programmes are seen as a means for these households to gain access to much-needed credit services that are appropriate for their needs. Moreover, because women comprise a significant proportion of such households, microfinance should also serve as an effective tool to assist and empower women in fishing communities.

It is in this context that the national workshop was organized. The main workshop objective was to analyse and document recent experiences with microfinance programmes in support of women and poverty alleviation in coastal fishing communities in India and to draw conclusions with regard to best practices in this field. The workshop also aimed to provide guidance to financial institutions, governmental and non-governmental institutions involved in fisheries development, fishermen's and women's associations, donors and other stakeholders for the future development of microfinance programmes and other necessary support services.

The workshop was organized by FAO, in cooperation with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) as the host organization. It was a follow-up to the recommendations of the recently concluded Regional Workshop on Microfinance Programmes in Support of Responsible Aquaculture and Marine Capture Fisheries in Asia, held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in December 2002.

The workshop, while highlighting best practices in financial support for women in fishing communities, had a broader and multidimensional perspective. As such, the presentations, discussions and recommendations were not only limited to financial support but also covered the following important thematic areas: government policies and initiatives, research, technology development, appropriate support services and other financial support and interventions for the sector. Thirty-nine senior representatives of central and state fisheries administrations, financial institutions, fisheries research, academe, training institutions and foundations, fishermen's and women's associations and an intergovernmental organization participated in the workshop.