Coir Board focuses on value-added products

A worker engaged in a coir products manufacturing unit near Kochi, Kerala. Coir Board has achieved an export turnover of Rs.807.07 crore in 2010-11 against a target of Rs.800 crore previous year. It has sanctioned three additional coir clusters at a cost of Rs.20 crore each at Haripad (in Alappuzha district), Samathwadi in Maharashtra, and Tripura. Shortage of labour in the manufacturing sector and scarcity of coir fibre/coir yarn had affected the prospects of the industry despite the buoyant results. Coir Board is introducing e-marketing of coir products in the country besides starting work on branding of coir for the domestic market either as a geographical indication brand or product specific brand.Photo:K_K_Mustafah.13/12/2011.

Coir Board is focusing on three major products - geo textiles, organic manure, and coir wood, its chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan told The Hindu .

The organic manure is made of composed coir pith and the coir fibre from Kerala is suitable for this.

The board is in the process of getting various certifications for coir wood and it would be easily acceptable worldwide for making furniture. This would be showcased in international expos too. In the case of geo textiles, Mr. Radhakrishnan said the board is trying for a field study with an Australian University of normal geo textiles and how coir geo textiles can be used.

“This will be a dominating product in the future,” he said. With increasing awareness and demand for green products, these have huge potential. Though nature-related problems such as drought do have an impact on the industry, focusing on value addition will give a better realisation.

In the next seven to eight years, the board is looking at increasing coir product exports to ₹. 15,000 crore to ₹. 20,000 crore. “It is easily achievable,” he said.

The current exports are about ₹. 2,100 crore and the main product is coir pith.

An official of the board added that technology support has been provided to 28 clusters.

Under implementation of second phase of fund for regeneration of traditional industries, 20 clusters have been identified. Coir industry is now coming up in more States.