Given the export growth rate in value-added products of coir, the crisis-ridden coconut sector can look to the coir segment for additional returns.

Coir Board Chairman CP Radhakrishnan said that the rise in exports of value-added products such as coir geo-textiles and pith in the last fiscal year is a good sign and would promote both the sectors in a big way.

Coir pith exports registered 29 per cent growth in quantity and 58 per cent in value, while coir geo-textiles posted growth of 7 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively, in the last fiscal year.

Record turnover

This has helped the Board to achieve a record export turnover of ₹1,901 crore in the last fiscal year against the target of ₹1,500 crore. The export growth, despite the slowdown, has facilitated the Board to boost the modernisation drive in line with other traditional industries such as jute and textiles, he told.

Thus, the value-addition in coir would be advantageous for coconut-growing States to encourage farmers and focus on husk collection. .

However, he suggested setting up of a proper husk collection mechanism, especially in Kerala, to meet the increasing demand from the coir sector.

Protective fabric

According to the Chairman, coir geo-textiles are getting increased acceptance for usage in mines as a protective fabric capable of controlling soil erosion, in Europe, the US and Japan as well as in mining States in the country.

Coir pith is also widely used in advanced countries as a natural organic plant growing material and for roof gardening and vegetable cultivation. Composite coir pith is a new development in the segment and research activities are going on to improve nutrient content and make it a replacement for urea.

“We are also in talks with National Highway Authorities to use coir geo-textiles in highway construction. The Indian Road Congress has already approved its usage in the construction of rural roads due to its cost savings,” he said.

The Board is in the process of developing high-tech machinery suitable for coir fibre and re-designing existing machines to maintain the quality of the product as part of the modernisation drive.

Given the eco-friendliness of the sector and its capability to provide more rural job opportunities, the Union Government is in favour of modernising the industry.

The Centre is all set to introduce a new subsidy scheme under which if the investor invests ₹10 crore, the government will extend a subsidy of ₹2.5 crore.

The Board is also pinning greater hopes on coir wood — another value-added product made from coir fibre — as a replacement to traditional wood. Developed by the Central Institute of Coir Technology, Bengaluru, coir wood will play an important role in the furniture industry.

Source: Business Line