Kevadia: India contributes 70% of the global production of Coir and 80% of the world trade in Coir products. The coir industry provides employment to more than 7.3 lakh people in rural areas, 80% of which are women and it is of utmost essential to make it comparative, self-sustainable and capable of providing employment to the rural folk.
The acceptability of Coir products has increased rapidly due to its ‘environment-friendly’ image. During the year 2020-21, the export of coir and coir products reached the level of Rs 3778.97 crore, with a growth rate of 17% in quantity and 37% in value, despite COVID adversities.
While Coir has shown positive trend even during the years of economic recession, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Narayan Rane called for developing Coir Industry in Konkan, North and North-Eastern region of the country and expand the market network.
Addressing the 238th meeting of the Coir Board in here on September 27, 2021, the Minister said, Konkan region has great opportunities for the development of Coir Industry, as its coastal areas have good coconut crops.
The Minister said, Coir Industry is a traditional, labor intensive, agro-based and export oriented industry. The industry converts waste into wealth as the raw material used is throw away waste. The Minister called for undertaking skill up-gradation, technology development, process improvement, infrastructure assistance, credit availability, marketing efficiency to accelerate the overall development of coir industry in the country.
-global bihari bureau
