Empowering the Fisherfolk Entrepreneurs in Uppada | The Journey of Jagamani and Durga
In the coastal village of Uppada, nestled in the Pithapuram mandal of East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, lived two women named Smt. Gampa Jagamani and Nalajana Durga. They belonged to the fisherfolk community and relied on the sea for their livelihood by fishing and selling their catch to sustain their families.
Jagamani and Durga had been inseparable since childhood, growing up in adjacent kutcha houses. Poverty, uncertainty, and a lack of understanding among the parents about how education could help them go a long way only allowed them to pursue education up to the 4th standard. However, their indomitable spirit and determination never wavered.
Fisherfolks are micro-entrepreneurs who catch fish and also sell them in the market in small villages. So as their husbands ventured out into the sea in search of fish, Jagamani and Durga would go from village to village, tirelessly selling their freshly caught seafood. In spite of facing numerous challenges, their entrepreneurial skills and dedication shone through.
In the village known for its famous handwoven silks, there is, unfortunately, limited awareness and knowledge of updated skills and technology, especially among the fisherfolk community. The dropout rate from school among children in the village has also been alarmingly high.
Mr. Rambabu from Santhivardhana, a renowned organisation working towards empowering the vulnerable communities in the area, organised a meeting with members of the community. In the meeting, Mr. Rambabu explained in great detail various state and central government schemes that could greatly benefit the people.
Jagamani and Durga, realising the positive impact the schemes could bring into their lives, provided their details to Mr. Rambabu. Upfront, through its Social Protection team, which is leading the work on guaranteeing access to Social Protection schemes to the street vendor community, is providing technical support and expertise to Santhivardhana. Mr. Rambabu, after a round of training with the team, skillfully entered the data into the digital platform called Dice Flow. With their information in hand, they headed to the local SBI branch in Uppada to apply for a Mudra loan, a government scheme aimed at providing financial support to small businesses.
Accompanied by Mr. Rambabu, they submitted their applications to the bank, which initiated the loan process promptly. Both Jagamani and Durga were elated with the newfound information and the opportunity to enhance their businesses. They recognised the significance of the Mudra loan programme and believed it was a transformative initiative for anyone seeking to improve their microenterprises.
Jagamani and Durga expressed their heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated Social Protection facilitator, Mr. Rambabu, for providing them with valuable guidance and support. They now felt equipped with the necessary resources to expand their ventures and become even more successful in their street vending endeavours.
The vulnerability of the fisherfolk community is increased manifold by the uncertainty in the climate patterns and climate change. With no social security to fall back upon as a part of the informal workforce, access to information, coupled with the right support and resources, can empower individuals and their families like those of Jagamani and Durga to break free from the cycle of poverty. Upfront is working every day towards enabling workforces to secure their livelihood and a brighter future for themselves and their families.
