: Mumbai, October 14, 2024

In a significant effort to enhance the capabilities of fisheries cooperatives in Maharashtra, VAMNICOM, in collaboration with ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), conducted a series of scale-up outreach programmes from October 11 to 13, 2024. A significant participation from weaker sections of the fishery cooperative, including members of SC/ST community, youth and women fish cooperatives was marked in this Viksit Bharat outreach. The initiative aimed to disseminate key initiatives from the Union Ministry of Cooperation to strengthen fisheries cooperatives across Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Mumbai districts.

The program commenced at the Thane District Fisheries Cooperative Federation, where faculty members from VAMNICOM and ICAR-CIFE engaged with over seventy Board of Directors representing 34 fisheries cooperative societies of 4 districts, namely Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Palghar. The participants were informed about the government's major cooperative initiatives, including the Mastya Sampadha Yojana and the Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund, which are designed to bolster the fishing sector and support cooperative development.

A highlight of the outreach occurred at the Arnala Fisheries Multipurpose Cooperative Society, which attracted more than 400 stakeholders from the fisheries community. The sensitization program provided vital insights into recent programs like the MPACS initiatives, fostering a greater understanding of opportunities available to cooperative members.

Similar outreach programs were successfully conducted at other key locations. It included:

• Marol Bazar Masli Vikreta Koli Mahila Sanstha, Koliwada, Mumbai: An internationally recognized women’s cooperative focusing on dry fish marketing and market value chain managed by women fish cooperatives.
• Versova Fisheries Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Versova, Mumbai: This cooperative also benefited from the information shared during the outreach.

     

  

These programs not only equipped stakeholders with essential knowledge and tools to enhance their operations but also fostered collaboration among cooperatives, promoting a unified approach to growth and sustainability in the fisheries sector.

The outreach initiative stands as a testament to the commitment of VAMNICOM, ICAR-CIFE, and the Ministry of Cooperation to empower local fisheries cooperatives, ensuring they thrive in a competitive market while contributing to the socio-economic development of their communities. This outreach was coordinated by Dr. Mahesh Kadam, Associate Professor, VAMNICOM; Dr. Shivaji Argade ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai; and Dr. Amit Borkar, Assistant Professor, VAMNICOM, Pune.

 

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