Netting Profits in Still Waters
Netting Profits in Still Waters
Authors : Shashibala Rai
An ox-bow lake becomes the architect of a unique example in collective action for a sustainable livelihood in the Muzaffarpur district of Bihar.
Bhusura Traditional Fisherwomen Cooperative (BTFC) is a successful example of livelihood interventions by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) named ADITHI, wherein the intervention was carried out making use of people’s traditional knowledge and locally available natural resources. This cooperative is unique in the sense that it has been registered in the name of fisherwomen, run and managed by them as well.
BTFC was formed in the year 1984 in a small village in the Muzaffarpur district of Bihar and fishing operations were started from the beginning of 1986. ADITHI, an organisation that works towards the empowerment of women in rural Bihar, provided support in terms of getting the cooperative registered, land leased in the name of the fisherwomen, assisting fisherwomen to get loans from banks and other capacity building measures and brought about a positive impact on the lives of these fisherfolk in terms of economic and social development. BTFC has a unique conflict resolution and profit-sharing mechanism. ADITHI helped formalise all the operating procedures and related issues of BTFC.
To read full or to save a copy click on the Download link below: