Exploring the Hardships of Retail Fish Vendors in Ernakulam District, Kerala State

This research paper will deal with examining the problems and threats faced by fish market vendors in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The main aim of the study is to find out the key financial, operational, and environmental challenges of fish vendors, discuss the main problems of operations like price fluctuation and seasonal changes, and measure the degree of satisfaction with the income, working conditions, and market facilities. The primary data on which the study will be based is the survey of 75 respondents who will be given a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using different statistical methods which included percentage analysis, weighted average ranking, correlation analysis as well as factor analysis. The findings of factor analysis indicated that three key dimensions of the challenges, i.e. financial risks, operational problems, and environmental factors, can be responsible of the substantial portion of the total variance. Diverging all these, financial risks became the most decisive aspect upon the vendors. It was found that the most important issues that affect the operation of the vendors are price variations, seasonal factors, and buying pressure in bulk. It is also found that income levels, working conditions and market facility availability have a significant effect on vendor satisfaction. Depending on the results, the research recommends that the livelihood and general satisfaction of fish market vendors should be improved through financial assistance, better infrastructure, and proper policy interventions. All in all, the research is an important contribution to understanding the challenges of fish vendors and can be a viable solution to their better economic conditions and terms of work.