The rustic, modest coconut fibre, once mostly used as a raw material to light up the fireplace, has gone through a complete metamorphosis over the years. But not many are aware of the wide use of coir.
In order to showcase the many forms of coir products, the Coir Board, Government of India, is taking out ‘Coir Kranti Express’ across cities from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.
The van was here on Sunday displaying a range of coir products, right from handbags, lampshades and laptop bags to coir jewellery, sandals, and kitchen gardens.
It was a little wonder that gave a peep into the wide range of creative products prepared using coir.
“Coconut fibre products are eco-friendly and have a great utility. Our aim is to popularise the varied use of these products and also reach out to entrepreneurs who are interested in setting up their yarn manufacturing units to make the products,” said Manager of Coir Board S. Venkataraman.
The initiative is part of the 60 anniversary celebrations of the Coir Board. As part of the celebrations, Coir Board is offering a 15 per cent discount on all products at its showroom at Jagadamba junction till March 2014.
The van, which received an overwhelming response in the city, will head to Rajahmundry from here.
More than seven lakh women are involved in the coir industry in India, with Kerala and Tamil Nadu being the main regions.
“The demand for coir products in the domestic market has grown considerably. We have also been exporting to countries the U.S. and parts of Europe,” Mr. Venkatraman said.
One of the innovative products of the Coir Board that has captured the attention of many is the kitchen garden. This vertical garden is a coir-based board, which is converted into boxes of different sizes. Each box can hold between four to 16 plants, depending on the size.
“It can produce up to 10 kg of vegetables. This product has become immensely popular in India and abroad as well,” he said.
In order to tap the domestic market and expand its reach to the retail sector, Coir Board was in the process of appointing national and zonal distributors to reach out to retailers, he added.
