International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Pranit Kohli, Surekha M Gupta, Milan Masani and Upasana Vyas

abstract
India's marine fisheries sector is vital for national food security and economic growth, yet the small-scale fishing communities that form its backbone face escalating vulnerabilities. This research paper presents a comprehensive assessment of the socio-economic conditions and livelihood dynamics of the fishing community in Guhagar, a coastal village in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district. Using a mixed-methods approach that includes a survey of 120 fisherfolk and focus group discussions, the study is framed by the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. The findings reveal a profound internal economic stratification, creating effectively "two communities" within one locale: mechanized boat owners with a high livelihood score (78%) and a majority of hired labourers trapped in a low-score (55%) cycle of poverty. This is compounded by a pervasive debt trap, with 75% of credit sourced from non-institutional channels, and a heavy reliance on a volatile, single-resource economy. Despite a high census literacy rate (94.77%), the study uncovers a significant gap in functional awareness of government schemes and a critical skills deficit. Furthermore, the crucial economic contributions of fisherwomen remain largely unrecognized and unsupported by formal institutions. The research concludes that the current livelihood model is unsustainable and requires a paradigm shift from top-down aid to community-led empowerment. It advocates for a multi-pronged strategy focusing on resource co-management, targeted financial inclusion, the empowerment of fisherwomen, and the strategic use of technology to foster long-term ecological and economic resilience.