District Fishermen’s Youth Welfare Association

The District Fishermen’s Youth Welfare Association (DFYWA) is a registered NGO working since 1992 to support small-scale fishing communities along India’s east coast. A key focus of its work is the development of sustainable dry fish initiatives—particularly to empower women vendors, both individually and through collectives. With strong grassroots experience and partnerships with national and international research bodies, DFYWA combines hands-on development work with policy advocacy, aiming to bridge critical gaps in infrastructure, research, and support systems. Recognizing the unique challenges of the dry fish sector—including seasonality, market volatility, and the lack of tailored solutions—DFYWA advocates for more focused, inclusive, and context-specific approaches to ensure the long-term sustainability and dignity of livelihoods in post-harvest fisheries.