Baseline socio-economic studies on 1992 pilot village: Langma

Abstract

Baseline socio-economic study was conducted on Lagma, a pilot fishing village chosen for the 1992 Artisanal fish processing training course. The study examined the occupation, lifestyle of the people of Lagma and the fishing industry in the village. The standard of living was low, sanitary conditions and housing were poor, with no electricity. The people of Lagma were hardworking but mainly illiterates. There was no school in the village. The main occupation was fishing and fish processing. Farming was taken up during the lean fishing season. Collection of stones and shells from the sea bed was limited to only women while the construction of beach huts was limited to only women while the construction of beach huts was the preoccupation of the men. The round mud-ovens were the common fish smoking ovens found in the village. The women made profit from their fish processing activities and the money realised was used mainly to look after the home and the children. There is a women's group in the village which is very dynamic. The group was also encouraged to work hard and to join the credit union in order to get loans for their projects