Case Study Report on Promoting Coconut Based Agro ... - APFED

Per cent (%)
namely Agronomic (A), and Engineering (E). Maximum, 86% households practicing
Agronomic method of conservation where has, only 14% household were seen
Engineering E. Common agronomic practices found in this region are inter cropping,
cover cropping, mulching. Where has in Engineering practices (E), we found form ponds
and Rainwater harvesting structures.
100
Soil and water conservation practices in farm land
90
86
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
14
10
0
Agronomic Practices (A) Engineering practices (E) Both (A+E)
0
Type of practice
Fig. 4 Soil and water conservation practices adapted by individual households
(Sources: household survey, 2010)
5.3 Biomass waste utilization
5.3.1 Coconut husk and coir pith:
Coconut husk is one of the important by- products of a coconut tree and coconutbased
activities. Coir spinning constitutes the major source of livelihood for over 60% of
the households in Pattanakkad block. One fully mechanized coir fibre mill known as
„Vayalar Fibre Mills‟ with a capacity to crush 0.75 million coconut husks per month was
established under the aegis of a 10-member Self-Help-Group comprising eight men and
two women. Over 2500 households benefit economically from the regular supply of husk.
The output of fiber from 0.75 million-coconut husks is about 52.5 tones, which satisfies
the daily raw material requirement of 58 households. Coir spinning units provide full time
employment for 132 members. Through the introduction of improved coir spinning
wheels in place of the traditional ones, women have benefited from gainful employment
and 50% higher income than what they were earning earlier (from US 1.0 to US $ 2.5).
One mat and matting unit, one geo-textile unit are presently linked with this fibre mill.