Eco India: How a simple innovation in oyster farming has transformed the lives of these fisherwomen

Every week, Eco India brings you stories of innovations from across India and Europe, and the people who make them possible. Our top story this week takes us to coastal Maharashtra, where fisherwomen have been building bamboo structures in the creek behind their village to farm oysters, which, by consequence, also helps the environment around them.
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CREDITS:
Supervising Producer: Nooshin Mowla
Director of Photography: Mohammad Ismail Shaikh
Video Editor: Sujit Lad
Field Producer: Sijo Jose, Arun Nair
Assistant Producer: Shibika Suresh
Script & Executive Producer: Sannuta Raghu
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Eco India is a co-production between DW and Scroll.in. You can watch the full episodes on scroll.in/ecoindia
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[@amalashinde4505]

I am very proud of hard working fisher-women community. They are doing innovative fish farming and are becoming financially independent. Hats off🇮🇳🙏🏽🇮🇳

[@Maheswar054]

Great peoples with great minds and hard work. I wish every women to be financial freedom in their field. All the best to every hard working Women......

[@avinashd517]

All the best mam

[@rajeshkumarkaran9049]

Great work through Hard work make new hope of life way

[@bf2404]

Would be good see biodegradable rope/string used. The ropes seem plastic.

[@darrenbraydon8918]

You all prolly dont care but does anyone know of a method to get back into an Instagram account?? I somehow lost my password. I love any help you can give me

[@floramae1415]

Never underestimate the strength of a woman. Hats off to you ladies. To more success 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@AK-mj3vb]

Whenever I am in Mumbai I always like to talk the fisherwomen they are friendly and very hardworking women. It is unfortunate Maharashtra government doesn't provide good facilities to them. Good initiative by the UN.

[@DBS608]

Not only Maharashtra govt... All States govt neglected them very badly...

[@AK-mj3vb]

@@DBS608 You need to study more about Indian union. Don't generalise India is a union not a nation

[@mytravls]

A K is Maharashtra govt led by Modi too?

[@navinsalian202]

Do not under estimate them. They are wealty community

[@101akar]

All govts mainly think about doling out money which is again eaten my the middlemen ,govt is not necessary for such things .you can do such things with innovative ideas yourselves .what UN gave them was an innovative idea ,they spent money on their own.depending on the govt for everything is the failed idea of communist mentality.

[@rickjamesb.]

Necessity is the mother of all invention. The greatest developments and innovations aren't happening in the hubs of the US or Europe, but in relatively poor countries. I am from Karachi, Pakistan and whenever I see the 'regular' people of India I feel so connected to them. More power to these super women!!

[@francisdsouza2002]

Wow!! May Lord bless you all my dearest Daughters of Maharashtra !!! Well Done

[@akhailansar9140]

Lord Krishna is always with them.

[@sandes7624]

I belong to this community.. Feel proud of this ladies.

[@idontcarei]

why there was oppositon for such good cause?? what kind of idiots oppose such good initiative?

[@bennybenitez3731]

Have they ever found pearls??

[@damarh]

and what have you done to make them proud ?

[@josephdsouza6552]

Great Job. Can I get the contact number of yours or the person do this trade. As IM a NGO worker we are also considering to implement this model in near Mumbai area. My numbers is 7506669909

[@usmannasirin7827]

oke booooos like 👍🔔🙏🎣🐳🐳🇮🇩..

[@wtfmf91]

I was born and brought up in a Fisher community village on the outskirts of Mumbai. And I am just so proud of these women.

[@prajakta_mh]

I'll convey your message to the superwomen ❤🤗

[@pushkardeshpandemedfreak]

Kulkarnis are fishers too ?🙄

[@dollartreeshark6786]

My personal interaction with Marathi people was that they are the most helpful and honest of all Indian people except probably north east. Even with the types of people like Sharad Pawar etc, on average the community is honest, proud and hardworking. I was in Powai for 4 years in late 1990s. Always had plenty of help in local trains with my luggage etc. People always made room and accommodated. It always makes me happy when I see Marathi people doing good.

[@manasikashyap]

What I love about Kasturi Dhoke is that she is so willing to share her newly learned (and profitable) skills with neighboring villagers! Such an inspiring individual.

[@prajakta_mh]

facebook.com/PrasiddhiMahilaGroup/

[@jegadeesang8717]

I am fisherman from tamilnadu... The lady's hardwork impress

[@Ars0205]

The cinematographer deserves a mention

[@akashhasting9756]

Man i dream of a channel like yours... only positivity and progress

[@preddy09]

Helping the less fortunate is free, starting a KZbin channel is free. People will even give you money to do that as soon as you prove your sincerity. So what's stopping you?

[@hoangkybactien7207]

👍 She has the most fashionable earings in the world. It has the shape of the Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya.👌😊.

[@SD-cm2om]

That's very common in India. Its made of gold

[@hoangkybactien7207]

@@SD-cm2om Maybe it is common in India. But it is my first time to see such an earings. Looks cool 😊😊.

[@b.m.5068]

Maybe try looking into Indian jewelry then

[@psaiprateek1417]

hoangky bactien that kind of earings are used by old women or those whose ears are sagging. After your earlobes and that hole becomes loose that design which goes all the way over your ear provides extra support.

[@hoangkybactien7207]

@@b.m.5068 I visited the natural museum of science in Washington DC a few times in the past 5 years, and have seen many Indian jewelry displayed in there. In my opinion: Indian jewelry are INSURPASSABLE, most beautiful in the world. Infact, I spent a lot of time enjoying it. I admire the skills, the craftsmanship of Indian goldsmiths who created those fabulous jewelry. I saw the famous BLUE diamond in there, too. It was stolen and smuggled out of India in the 19th century, during the British colonialism in India.

[@lilysoteria320]

Awesome \o) Everytime women gets empowered , I am encouraged 💥💥 More power to these Awesome Ladies 💥💥💥

[@psaiprateek1417]

Lily Soteria these are empowered women but fake feminists from cities ruin reputation of good feminists too.

[@lilysoteria320]

Yes being feminist is such a cliche! But Kudos to these Awesome Ladies 💥💥

[@bibhasroy3815]

In india i call them mother's!! Their working capacity is very impressive!! They work 12 hours a day and very little complaints!! They believe in whatever we have we stay satisfied and stay happy!! And here i am cant live a day without youtube

[@memd777]

@@bibhasroy3815 yes but the young girls of India are not like these mothers... they just spend money and live in their pink worlds which doesn't exist and are unaware of the reality out there.

[@cmpunk2719]

@@memd777 But u guys in ur community treat women like doll, only kept inside to make babies and put restrictions of not allowing them to face the outside world , put all traditions on them and u guys enjoying life😂😂😂

[@swatikandari8376]

"...don't depend on your husbands financially. Be independent. This is our time." 😍😍😍

[@manyud9401]

Overaction

[@user-IL1EL]

SWATI KANDARI why you say like this time to make men slaves ? Of course we are happy . women are helping men in financially . Here we also support women with equality don’t insult like saying this is our time you are giving ideas to so many posions people Edit : just don’t take my words in negative just think like a person instead of women and men difference. This is our time sentence is so offensive

[@zuboy4272]

your time ? well then build roads , bridges , building , trains , cars , technology and give some blood for army , rescue team , disaster management etc , then we will talk

[@saiveeru9344]

Feminist spotted.

[@somenathBittu]

Feminazi...stupid kids

[@startyourwork1291]

Love you my indian moms.... You are the strong ,smart and cool woman in the world..

[@simrankaur4382]

Amazing! Women empowerment is not just economic power, but also what this power brings with it- dignity and confidence to stand among the equals. More power to these women and to the whole community!

[@1kgm]

माला खूप आवडला हा प्रकल्प कोकणात असे शेती पुरक आणि मोठे प्रकल्प यावेत याचा खूप प्रसार झाला पाहिजे

[@dmahesh5973]

Baracha kahi project Hait pan Kokani mulanchi manasikata nahi. Baheril lok yetil Aani stanik tranche nokar bantil. Kon sanganar Bho yanna

[@dr.venkatshealthtalk9527]

Wow, this is call real women empowerment and the also managing self help groups which is also help them financially support among them self, u people were really amazing.. keep rocking women’s of Maharashtra and mothers of 🇮🇳 india

[@KingMarvin]

Awesome Indian women! Dream big, dream high and take a step of courage and diligence daily to reach the reality of your dreams! My sweet respect from the Philippines!

[@shalini361]

Watched it this morning!! I am happy to see such empowerment of women. So so proud. God bless these women. May they reach to more milestones. :)

[@prajakta_mh]

I'll convey your message to them.. They are my family ❤

[@shalini361]

@@prajakta_mh thank you :)

[@sandeepsunny4980]

Something are beyond my understanding like how someone could dislike this video.

[@realname2404]

Those are bots

[@rkpbmx]

The middle men gaining profit MNC trying to profit I can think of many aholes

[@as-tl4jl]

May be those who discouraged them when they started this work.

[@ganesanm8794]

Sandeep. The dislike is from their husband and father in-law.

[@AR-ml9eo]

Really? I didn't like it because it's a scam. These kind of gadgets do nothing to really improve the lives of the billion Indians living in misery. A few more oysters? Come on. India is the most polluted and poisoned place on Earth. It is simply criminal how the rich of India have destroyed the country. India has the worst disease rates, virtually no sewage treatment, little to no potable drinking water, almost no control or treatment of industrial wastes, and the worst air pollution in the world. I certainly don't blame the Indian people who are the primary victims. And this is not to mention the horrifying social conditions. But hey India has nuclear weapons and an aircraft carrier-and that's what's important to the rich. They could care less about a billion living in misery.

[@fatmamedemi]

I love this lady's attitude!

[@taibanganbakonjengbam6902]

I have faith in humanity seeing such hard working people,specially women.I simply wish them better future than my own mother.That is all I can do.

[@Vamanation]

Such a breathe of fresh air! More Power to you! Tumi Amala Inspiration aaheth...

[@juansiyasattv2262]

So brave woman.. Salute to you!!! Love from Phillipines ♥

[@digendrasingh8518]

this is what is called leadership hats off🙏🙌🙌♥️all the queens

[@libinpbabu991]

That smile on the face of these ladies , that is what our government failed to create among citizens

[@Pradeep-ix6dj]

Government(s). Let us try not to hold one government responsible for it.

[@ARYAN-jn4dk]

Wow 1.3 billions people you have a idea to provide jobs to everyone

[@libinpbabu991]

@@Pradeep-ix6dj there is only one government at a time , isn't it. Its not only about India , it's about all the countries , people are fighting for a loaf of bread , here religions are using as a political strategy and tool for deviding people, imagine my dear friend I am asking for a new clothes and food from my father he said adjust son I have 5000km intercontinental ballistic you are safe in our family . It's irony na , absolutely equality is an utopian idea but a relative equality and welfare is clearly practical like our breathe when .

[@libinpbabu991]

@@ARYAN-jn4dk definitely if I am capable of make an investment wisely 😉

[@ARYAN-jn4dk]

@@libinpbabu991 you want to build large factorys china producing 10000 metric tons of carbon every year india only 2514 metric tons India also should produce same amount of carbon to get jobs to all. Pm_cm_mp_mla_local leader _panchayath it will take lot of corruption pm can't handle whole India but CM can handle whole state

[@lokeshanand3848]

It is like transfer of technology... Thank you for your help environment....

[@sanjaynagorama3073]

खुपच मोठ धाडस महिला बचत गटांनी केले आहे. प्रसिद्धी महिला बचत गटाचे हार्दिक अभिनंदन ✌ ✌ ✌ ✌ ✌

[@prajakta_mh]

facebook.com/PrasiddhiMahilaGroup/

[@ms.example9342]

Father's gonna hve to start teaching their daughters this stuff

[@Ashokkumar-fk5ug]

Perfect example of woman self empowerment. Well done To all of you. Indian Younger ladies should take inspiration from them being unite and strong.

[@sohelshaikh-zh2dk]

This shows why Maharashtra is more developed than other states.

[@paytmguru5662]

Because of industry and bollywood

[@sohelshaikh-zh2dk]

@@paytmguru5662 yeah I agree and also because of business environment

[@ap35385]

@@paytmguru5662 If You Don't Consider Mumbai And Pune.. Still Maharashtras GDP Is High

[@ankitcoolvideos]

Not because of them.. Because of gujaratis and mumbai.. Other parts of Maharashtra are poor as hell

[@ap35385]

@@ankitcoolvideos you are dumb as hell

[@korrythatsme1356]

May all you beautiful ladies be Blessed with great health, wealth , success and prosperity and everything you touch and everything and everyone around you as well receive same blessings🙏🏼❤️. Great video 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😊

[@akshayshetty5548]

God bless you too dear

[@korrythatsme1356]

akshay shetty thank you 😀💐and you too sweetheart ❤️🙏🏼

[@korrythatsme1356]

Prudvi Raj It was a touching documentary on empowering women but you know what....your correct everyone deserves blessings my friend and I appreciate you bring this to my attention and yes all souls included my friend ❤️🙏🏼💐 (my apologies). Blessings to to all ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@joanazuri2795]

Amen 🙏

[@funny-video-YouTube-channel]

*Beautiful project.* The shellfish farming is huge in Chile. The villagers were skeptical :-) Maybe they have learned a huge lesson since then. Their skepticism and negative expectations is what kept them back in life for so long.

[@krist-yonnarain7786]

That goes back to lack of education. They probably didn’t understand the life cycle of the oysters or how they reproduce. If education was more widespread in India things would be a lot different. This was a really good first step.

[@vaibhav3946]

@@krist-yonnarain7786 willingness is also more important. We can see educated people consuming tobacco and dying in hospitals.

[@murlikumarganapur5507]

I salute these mothers!!! As my friend said in below comments Maharashtra or Indian Government to support in such initiatives. It will help their families and communities to go in right path!!! Jai Shivaji!!! Jai Maharashtra!!! God Bless Everyone!!

[@ericaparrott5608]

“This is our time.” with a swift point of her finger. I’m sure she inspires lots of other women to try.

[@naturewanderer1609]

Maharashtra cha khara abhiman! Amchya aai, tai, sara Stri samaj thumcha aabhiman karto! We are proud of you all. More power to you all ❤️🙏🇮🇳

[@prajakta_mh]

facebook.com/PrasiddhiMahilaGroup/

[@melancholicguy.3681]

You are much2 wiser and passionate then people living in urban... You are a change maker of the society aunty... Salute to you🙏🙏🙏

[@deenpatel9390]

Love u my fisherwoman ladies love from santiago chile

[@raks00able]

The right way to improvise hats off to these women .

[@srinidhi7140]

ನಿಜವಾಗಿಯೂ ತುಂಬಾ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ವೀಡಿಯೊ ನನಗೆ ಬಹಳ ಇಷ್ಟವಾಯಿತು 🙏🌹

[@karthikhp2123]

ಜೈ

[@9wtd]

Salute to all hardworking woman💪🏽

[@HarmanSingh-mj7fm]

very hardworking women.being a women u make me feel so much proud my dear ladies.God bless all of u

[@arghyadeep5738]

such a wonderful video , i respect these women who done this great work , this is not only give them financial independence but also help the whole community to earn some more money to spend in there daily commodities , ✌️✌️✌️

[@Subodhkachare]

खूप छान बोललात काकू.. तुमच्या कष्टाच फळ तुम्हाला भेटले आहे.. तुम्हाला सर्वाना खूप शुभेच्छा..

[@kaklotarkishor8908]

Wow, great indian thinking..

[@ajaygothal607]

अस्सल मराठी बाणा. Grand salute. 👍👍

[@madhavisutar3435]

Awesome work, are you are encouraged to us 👍 keep it up god bless you 🙏

[@maneomkar18]

Those are the real natives of Mumbai.

[@aditinarkar7403]

ये मुंबई नहीं है. कोंकण है.

[@onkar096]

@@aditinarkar7403 the surrounding areas of munbai which are currently suburbs of munbai were Colonies of fishermen. To be precise starting from Bandra and Sion.

[@Ankitsingh833]

@@onkar096 true bro

[@prajakta_mh]

They are not from mumbai. The village name is Wadatar.. It's in Devgad which is also famous for Alphonso Mango ❤

[@omkarpatil4375]

Excellent work done by this Self help group.. Such small small activities are cornerstones of the women empowerment 👍

[@vprasad9666]

Omkar Patil

[@raghukotaru]

Innovation is independent to education hatsoff to the lady farmers and very motivative to other farmers irrespective of gender

[@Pradeep-ix6dj]

These women were educated on this skill though. So education is still an integral part of ones success 😊 but maybe formal education is not.

[@tae_7111]

I feel so proud of these women🧡🧡

[@Jason-sf8vx]

These women are awesome , proud of them for their entrepreneurial mindset

[@imranhusain4611]

We are proud of you our mothers of nation😊. This is called Women Empowerment🙏🏼 confident, Hardworking & creative.

[@Thelocalguide]

Salute to the womens, thanks for sharing this story ♥️

[@desiboys8008]

They are doing just stunning nd new .that's awesome..real women empowerment Jay Maharashtra

[@Pradeep-ix6dj]

The governments should take more and more steps in training people using videos like these so that more and more people become self reliant instead of giving out freebies.

[@hksuraj1992]

govt will not but india will develop surely its my thinking

[@Pradeep-ix6dj]

Suraj HK True.. That’s how it’s always been. But the pace of growth will surely increase with government’s initiatives.

[@eugeniebakker881]

I agree. There is no need for poverty. Communities such as these are actually in possession of an asset. People must be empowered to see beyond the impossible. This is really an inspiration.

[@sanjaydahima4771]

ऐसी आत्मनिर्भर महिलाओ को Big salute , हमारे देश की महिलाये अब अबला नहीं वो सबला है वे देश की प्रगति में अच्छा योगदान दे सकती है हमें उन्हें प्रोत्साहित करना होगा और हमारी सरकार को भी इन महिलाओ के लिए योजनाए चलनी चाहिए

[@hemanthbt]

Kudos to these fisherwomem. Their hard work, dedication and innovation along with the help from United Nations had earned them the success they deserved. Fisher women are the backbone of fishing community as they are the one who handle the commercial aspects of selling the produce. Many a times they walk miles together to sell their produce. They are the one who save money unlike their men who mostly spend it on liquor (not all though). Along with these activities they also take care of their children and other house hold activities. In coastal Karnataka fishing community is matriarchal, mother is the head of the family and also the kids get their mothers surname(just like me). May God bless them with prosperity

[@prajakta_mh]

These women are my family.. And trust me the 'man' is their real backbone. When these women starts working for the project.. Their husband looks after everything in the house. That kind of support is rare.

[@manyud9401]

Final words are great,, don't depend on husband, Be Independent 👍👍

[@adghat7819]

Don't depend only on your husband financially. Do some work and support family together.

[@sanjayraut8808]

Thanks for supporting such group of woman and specially thank you for project initiator in india

[@theunconscious8883]

Amazing... Huge respect to this woman's..

[@swaransamuel587]

In Subtitles text should be in yellow color and background should be in black.

[@meenakshinarang9163]

If you are determined and focused, it becomes easy to achieve your goal. If you get the proper guidance, you can conquer all difficulties. These women have proved this, proud feeling to watch them.

[@pulz1191]

Fabulous... It's the empowerment of weak!! ( I believe in going beyond caste creed race religion gender... Because that way each human can draw inspiration from another... That's what leads to a better world!!)

[@sarahpaulus8744]

Love from namibia great to see the women fisherwoman, never seen anything like it

[@sophiacpescador]

🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾amazing group of innovative women breaking down barriers !!!!!

[@swetsagar]

Amazing and incredible that how much a woman can do for d development of her family , society and eventually the country.

[@tektappu2282]

Salute to all of you... With love

[@1sujendra]

That's exactly how magic looks like oyster farming is not a joke but the women's really worked hard and got the result hat's of to them really amazing start-up i think this should be implemented in the western coast of goa and Karnataka as wel

[@vj6722]

Proud of such piece of work.

[@hpereira4291]

Lot of respect for these women

[@abhayjindal5404]

Love to see the positivity respect you all 🙏

[@VinodPatil-gf6iw]

Great... तुम्ही सर्व अशी प्रगती करत रहा..👌

[@orchid92wateradventurecomp5]

BRAVE WOMEN HARD WORKING COMMUNITY BEST OF LUCK

[@EstanciaTimesDocumentary]

So inspiring. Im learning from this video.."self help group" .wow

[@BabitaKumari-mm5qh]

Thank you so much scroll And I am proud of my Indian hard working women good example of women empowerment 😊

[@funfiesta602]

Marathi talking..!!! Nice.... Maharashtrians are always great..!!!

[@siddhantkhorjuvekar]

If they export this to other countries this will make wonders. ..

[@greenleafyman1028]

This is the best example of work smartly not hardly.

[@tl7239]

There is some magic in the people of the Konkan coast. Be it the Malawi or Goankar or Konkans of South Canara. I feel its God's blessing I was born a Konkan.

[@Aki-hb1jy]

They should make more and time their harvests properly. They can be strategic and build oyster farms monthly so that they can harvest monthly and make more income.

[@sonjajane4426]

Yea, beautiful to protect nature and nature protects us. ❤

[@hariprasadkakarla9424]

Much respect , now we know why shivaji maharaj was such great , because like this mother's was behind him .

[@kenjitan135]

Kudos to these hardworking people 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Anon_212]

So good to see them... that's something we call women empowerment..Salute..🙏

[@ishan1127]

lovely to see how this women doing so good.

[@sooraj1497]

Goosebumps !! Thanks ecoIndia

[@rupeshapandkar5309]

Great work ☄️✌🏻of our ladies ❤️ I belong to this community

[@afernandes2898]

This is absolutely amazing, god bless

[@kimberlymartyn1232]

Wonderful, congratulations ladies

[@HOHO-ex2tu]

Bravo...so proud of these woman...

[@anuragmishra958]

Jai Bharat Jai Maharashtra

[@AR-ml9eo]

Really? Such pride... India is the most polluted and poisoned place on Earth. It is simply criminal how the rich of India have destroyed the country. India has the worst disease rates, virtually no sewage treatment, little to no potable drinking water, almost no control or treatment of industrial wastes, and the worst air pollution in the world. I certainly don't blame the Indian people who are the primary victims. But hey India has nuclear weapons and an aircraft carrier-and that's what's important to the rich. They could care less about a billion living in misery.

[@atulvirtual]

I guess Shiv Sena Raj Thackeray could do this to improve lives of people rather than playing petty politics on ousting of North Indians

[@sum321rediff]

Not Shivsena, he is from MNS. He parted from shiv sena and formed mns.

[@wasimpathan5589]

Sing bling Plz open ur eye n cling

[@vrushalimokal3910]

Wow.... Inspirational....More power to you ladies!

[@knowmoreclub6675]

Respectfull salute for them...great job....

[@martijnkeulen5937]

This is great

[@gimmigota1]

It's an extra ordinary story. Thank you UN.

[@feelurheart]

yes, to be free from money and other pressures from life. let's be independent financially~ but while helping and supporting each other :)