Financial Inclusion with a Difference - Fisherwomen in Udupi, Karnataka Show the Way for Success

Fisheries which is an allied activity to agriculture is an important sector in the country as it provides cheap protein, valuable foreign exchange and employment to huge population. The sector is divided into three sub sections like Inland (fresh water), brackish water and marine. The flow of Bank credit to these sectors is nor do commensurate with the potential or meet actual requirements of the community. When compare to all other sections of our society the fisher folk is highly underdeveloped and still in the clutches of money lenders. On the contrary the fisherwomen of Udupi district of Karnataka have proved that they are credit worthy and Bankable. They have developed a successful banking model, like a light house in the sea shore. This paper details the process, secrets of success which can be replicable to fisherwomen of as well as by their agriculture counterpart in other States and even countries.