Gulf Petrochem
Himadri S. Roy
Financial Controller
“ Gulf Petrochem FZC, UAE, had commissioned i-maritime Consultants Pvt. Ltd., Navi Mumbai, to carry out the Market Feasibility and Techno-Economic Validation studies for our upcoming 320,000 MT “Bulk Liquid Storage & Handling Terminal” at Pipavav Port, Gujarat. In this connection, we are happy to place on record our sincere appreciation to them for a job well done... ”
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Community development ideas
Some of the ideas that can be explored are given below. These ideas are based on the interactions with the communities and ongoing initiatives at different places.
1. Mari-culture / ornamental fish farming
2. Fishing ancillary ventures
3. Eco-tourism
4. Wood related products
5. Plant / mangrove nursery
6. Poultry farming
7. Vocational training institute
All these initiatives will lead to improvement in the economic status of the communities. Ideas 1-6 will have immediate impact whereas the idea 7 has a longer gestation period and also requires more capital. Provision of marketing support will be essential in all the cases for lack of access to the markets and exploitation by intermediaries is one of the major problems faced by the people. One option is to have an indigenous marketing platform which will require a lot of money and effort. The other option is to enter into agreements with organization which have established marketing networks. These can be fair trade organizations, mom & pop stores or big retailers.
Mariculture
Mariculture is a specialized branch of aquaculture involving the cultivation of marine organisms for food and other products in the open ocean, an enclosed section of the ocean, or in tanks, ponds or raceways which are filled with seawater. An example of the latter is the farming of marine fish, including finfish and shellfish e.g. prawns, or oysters and seaweed in saltwater ponds. Non-food products produced by mariculture include: fish meal, nutrient agar, jewelries (e.g. cultured pearls), and cosmetics.
As sea water is the most easily available resource, cage culture (in open seas and coastal waters can be promoted). This activity can be taken up in Khadi where the fishing communities are facing shortage of fish. Detailed costs of mariculture need to be worked out.
Ornamental fish farming
Breeding of ornamental fish can be taken up as a small scale unit. A report by FAO puts the capital cost of such a unit at Rs 54000 which can help earn annual revenues of Rs 77000 with annual operating expenses of Rs 47000.
Fishing ancillary ventures
These can relate to value add products like fish pickles or knitting of fish nets. There can also be provision of cold storage facilities to fishermen. Some low cost process with wide network has to be thought of. Reefer vehicles can be used, which can collect the catch on a daily basis from the fishermen along the coastline and taken to cold storage facilities in consumption centers (Mumbai, Kolhapur, etc.). Owning the assets will need huge investments, one can start off with outsourcing the logistics, a market has to be identified-either tie-up with big retailers or hoteliers or sell it directly to the customers.
Eco-tourism
Eco friendly / rural tourism can be promoted in the scenic Ratnagiri & Sindhudurg. Schemes like Bed & Breakfast, adventure sports (places like Devgrah Fort can be used for the same). This should be a medium cost venture.
Wood related products
This could relate to greeting cards / herbal products. Already there are some organizations making greeting cards out of dried flowers and leaves. Mr Bhim Raskar told me that these cost as low as Re 1.5 per card and can be easily sold for Rs 5 and above. Similarly there are organizations collecting herbs from the forests and making medicinal products out of the same. But this may require extensive training too be given as to how to identify the herbs, moreover precaution has to be taken to maintain a high hygiene factor. This may be a high cost venture.
Plant / mangrove nursery
Preparing mangrove saplings is another low cost venture that can be taken up. These saplings can be either supplied to Department of Forest or sold off in retail. This has been experimented with in Sunderbans, wherein women reared mangrove saplings after collecting the seeds from the waterside. The Forest Department had guaranteed purchasing these saplings. It was easy for women to take up this as it didn?t require them to move out of their houses and caused no obstruction in their household chores. The investments in terms of money were negligible. It helped them earn Rs 1000 to 1500 each in one season.
Poultry farming
This again is an activity that can be taken up on small scale. Considering the living conditions and hygiene levels of the people, this will require a lot of training to be given on maintenance of health and hygiene especially if the produce is to be sold in cities or to be exported.
Vocational training institute
A vocational and educational institute can be set up on the lines of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences. This again is a highly capital intensive venture. But if the maritime educational institutes and corporates (like shipyards, shipping lines, etc.) are roped in; it is possible to set up such an institute. The educational institutes can set up as distance learning / online / mobile training center. A mobile vocational school - Mann Deshi Udyogini has been started by Mann Deshi Mahila Sahakari Bank.
Once the training is imparted, it will be essential to support the enterprises with initial capital, marketing, etc.