Coir Board plans to take measures to double export of coir products in the next three years.
According to C.P. Radhakrishnan, who recently assumed office as chairman of the Coir Board, annual exports now are to the tune of Rs. 1,600 crore. “We want to modernise the industry. New technology should be imported, if necessary,” he said.
Of the Rs. 1,600 crore exports, coir pith constituted nearly Rs. 950 crore. The focus should be on improving export of value-added products.
There should be more buyer-seller meets. Coir sector consists of small-scale entrepreneurs and more number of unskilled and women workers. It is pre-dominantly a rural industry. Considering these factors, the board is aiming for huge development and support from the Government for the industry. “We will give thrust to exports,” he said. With regard to the growing market for coir products, he said the potential is huge. However, the market is unorganised and the board is considering measures for collection of data to estimate the market size.
The industry now faces shortage of raw material. To address this, Coir Board will also work closely with the Coconut Board.
There must be a special insurance scheme for coconut farms and a scheme to encourage replanting of coconut trees. Fibre yield reduces with the age of the tree. Hence, farmers should be encouraged to go in for replanting, he said.
Coir Board will soon set up a regional office in Pollachi at a total cost of Rs. 8 crore.
The office will have a training centre, display area for coir products, and conference hall. It also proposes to digitalise Coir Board activities and facilitate linkage of coir product manufacturers with e-commerce portals.
According to C.P. Radhakrishnan, who recently assumed office as chairman of the Coir Board, annual exports now are to the tune of Rs. 1,600 crore. “We want to modernise the industry. New technology should be imported, if necessary,” he said.
Of the Rs. 1,600 crore exports, coir pith constituted nearly Rs. 950 crore. The focus should be on improving export of value-added products.
There should be more buyer-seller meets. Coir sector consists of small-scale entrepreneurs and more number of unskilled and women workers. It is pre-dominantly a rural industry. Considering these factors, the board is aiming for huge development and support from the Government for the industry. “We will give thrust to exports,” he said. With regard to the growing market for coir products, he said the potential is huge. However, the market is unorganised and the board is considering measures for collection of data to estimate the market size.
The industry now faces shortage of raw material. To address this, Coir Board will also work closely with the Coconut Board.
There must be a special insurance scheme for coconut farms and a scheme to encourage replanting of coconut trees. Fibre yield reduces with the age of the tree. Hence, farmers should be encouraged to go in for replanting, he said.
Coir Board will soon set up a regional office in Pollachi at a total cost of Rs. 8 crore.
The office will have a training centre, display area for coir products, and conference hall. It also proposes to digitalise Coir Board activities and facilitate linkage of coir product manufacturers with e-commerce portals.