ANNUAL REPORT - Dc Msme

COIR BOARD
7.1 COIR INDUSTRY
7.1.1 India is the largest coir
producer in the world accounting
for more than 80 per cent of the total
world production of coir fibre. The
coir sector in India is very diverse and
involves households, co-operatives,
NGOs, manufacturers and exporters.
This is the best example of producing
beautiful artifacts, handicrafts and
utility products from coconut husks
which otherwise is a waste.
7.1.2 The coir industry employs
more than 6.50 lakh persons of
whom a majority is from rural areas
belonging to the economically
weaker sections of society. Nearly
80% of the coir workers in the fibre
extraction and spinning sectors are
women.
7.1.3 Historically, the coir industry
started and flourished in Kerala
MSME
CHAPTER
VII
which has a long coast line, lakes,
lagoons and backwaters providing
natural conditions required for
retting. Coconut husk is left to soak in
salty backwater for months together
and thereafter yarn is possible to be
woven from husk. However, with the
expansion of coconut cultivation, coir
industry has also picked up in Tamil
Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
Orissa, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura,
Pondicherry and the Union Territories
of Lakshadweep and Andaman &
Nicobar Islands through the efforts
of Coir Board. The production and
processing methods in coir industry
still continue to be mainly traditional.
For instance, spinning is mainly
carried out on traditional ratts which
require repeated walking, forward
and backward. The total production
of coir fibre in the country during
the year 2009-10 was 5,15,500 M.T.
The fibre production during 2010-
11 (up to December, 2010) was
3,91,255 M.T.
139
Annual Report
2010-11