SEWA Kerala has been working in the inland fisheries sector of Alappuzha district since 2021, supporting women who rely on clam collection as their primary livelihood. Many of these women serve as the main breadwinners for their families. SEWA conducted extensive field observations, identified the needs of the workers, and gathered basic information. Clam collection and processing are predominantly family-run enterprises, where children and other family members work under the leadership of women. Women are primarily engaged in peeling, trading, processing, and other post-harvest fisheries activities.
Clam, a bivalve mollusk, is an important resource in Kerala’s estuaries. Its meat is highly nutritious, and flavorful, and has strong domestic and export market potential. Smaller-sized clams are also used as a protein source in poultry and fish feed.
Clam picking is an important means of livelihood for communities inhabiting areas near estuaries and backwaters. Clam picking and processing provide a livelihood for a substantial number of women who inhabit the banks of backwaters. Earlier, clam collection used to be a woman’s occupation. Clams were so plentiful that boats were not necessary to find them—one could simply dig them up from the shallows.
Clam picking and processing is a vital livelihood for communities living near estuaries and backwaters, providing stable income opportunities for many women. Earlier, clams were so plentiful that one could simply dig them up from the shallows. As time went on, it became necessary to go out deeper to find them. Eventually, raking was replaced by diving. Today, only those with outboard motors can efficiently collect clams.
In 2023, SEWA organizers observed areas like Muhamma, Kaypuram, Thaneermukkam, Punnamada, Nehru Trophy, and Puthangadi to understand the situation of clam-collecting women workers. Six hundred and fifty (650) women workers took membership from these areas between the age group of 30 to 70 years. The majority of women have 20 to 50 years of experience in this sector. The work starts early morning at 3:00 and finishes at 4:00 in the afternoon. The majority of the clam collectors have their small boats, it is considered a self-employment initiative.
Unlike fishing, clam collection provides a relatively stable income. Although daily harvests vary, they consistently generate earnings. However, middlemen significantly impact profitability, often buying clams at lower prices and reselling them for double. Additionally, post-COVID-19, more people have turned to clam collection, increasing competition amid declining clam populations.
Once harvested, the clams are carried back home, where they are boiled over a fire to cook the tender meat and separate it from the shells. Once boiled, the clams are sieved energetically through a large screen to separate the shells from the tender meat. Nothing is wasted―the meat is sold to agents or directly to individual customers, while the shells are sold to construction sites and farmers as fertilizers or soil acidity balancers. One kilogram of meat earns INR 200 to 350, while one big basket of shells earns just INR 50 to 80.
Challenges faced by clam collectors
- Black clams thrive in both fresh and brackish water, but their breeding depends on temperature and salinity, making them sensitive to ecological changes.
- Owing to a much smaller clam population, collectors are forced to harvest even juvenile clams, which further reduces the population growth rate.
- The rising levels of pollution in the lake due to increasing tourism activities and the use of agricultural pesticides and fertilizers to increase productivity are contributing to a decline in fish and clam biodiversity.
- There is limited awareness of techniques for preserving clam meat for extended use.
- Occupational health hazards
Plans for intervention
- Conduct a comprehensive study on the working conditions of inland fish workers.
- Strengthen grassroots leadership and organizational structures.
- Engage with government agencies to understand and leverage relevant programs and support mechanisms.
- Implement targeted interventions to address key challenges.
These women’s groups are among the beneficiaries of the APFP-FO4A program in India, supported through SEWA, one of the national implementing agencies. The program aims to enhance the economic and social well-being of smallholder farmers and fishers by strengthening their organizations, improving value chain participation, and advocating for policies that support their livelihoods.
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