Challenges in the Inland fish retail market: Socio-economic insights and infrastructure analysis in the Northern Region of Tamil Nadu

The socio-economic profile of fish retailers, market functions, and operational constraints play a crucial role in meeting consumer demand for fish. This research aimed to evaluate the socioeconomic traits of rural inland fish traders in Tamil Nadu's northern region, examine the channels that currently connect them to the market, and pinpoint the main obstacles they must overcome. A purposive sample approach was employed to choose 36 neighbourhood fish stores. A standardized, pre-tested interview schedule was used to interview the 252 respondents who made up the sample size, which was obtained by randomly selecting seven fish retailers from each market. The findings revealed that 71% of the fish retailers were male, with 68% belonging to the middle-aged group. About 65% of the respondents had an educational qualification between primary and secondary levels, and 76% had over 10 years of experience in fish retailing. Most respondents belonged to nuclear families, and all were members of fisheries cooperatives. Fish retailing was a permanent occupation for 61% of the respondents, who reported an average monthly income of ?16,500, higher than the national average rural household income (?12,698) as per NAFIS 2021-22. Secondary occupations included fishing, agriculture, and labour work. The study identified six rural fish retail market channels, with Indian Major Carp (IMC), Tilapia, and Common Carp being the most in-demand fish varieties. Due to its taste and affordability, consumer preferences indicated that Rohu (Labeo rohita) was the most preferred species. Major infrastructural challenges included lack of shade, inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, and insufficient drainage facilities for waste disposal. Constraints were analysed using the Garrett ranking method, which revealed that unnecessary intermediaries and high fish transportation costs were the most significant challenges. According to the report, cooperative societies should invest in the infrastructure of fish markets, train fish retailers in fish handling and preservation techniques, provide hygienic facilities and access to icing or cold storage to extend the shelf life of fish, and promote direct purchases from fishermen to increase the profit margins of retailers.