Coir body for ban on use of coconut husk

Coir body for ban on use of coconut husk

Madurai (PTI): The Tamil Nadu State Coir Associations' Federation on Monday demanded a total ban on use of coconut husk to generate biomass power, saying "It will badly hit the labour intensive coir industry and throw hundreds of people out of job."

In a release here, federation President C M Kararaj said the government should initiate action against industries using coconut husk for biomas power generation.

He also wanted the central and state governments to provide financial and tehnical assistance for value addition and marketing of coir products."We want a market development centre."

The biomass power generation was a threat to the 2.5 lakh coir workers. "If the husk was used for power generation we will face raw material problem," he said.

The procurement of husk also helped only the middlemen and not the power units, he said.

Coir products were in great demand as there was a reduction in the use plastic ropes etc."We need both husk and technology to remain in business. "

The existing coir act should have teeth and law violators should be punished, he said.

The Alappuzha-based CTN Agro and the Coir Group

The Alappuzha-based CTN Agro and the Coir Group

Kerala's houseboats make waves with conference facilities

 

7 May, 2008, 0058 hrs IST,Joe A Scaria , Economic Times

 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A romantic night on the majestic backwaters of Alappuzha in a one-bedroom houseboat could be a winning ad line to attract the niche group of newly-weds. But houseboat operators in Kerala with an eye on the bottomline are now tapping businesses beyond what is provided by dreamy couples.

 

The latest obsession appears to be sheer size of vessels as houseboat owners attempt to bite into the growing segments of conferences and group tours with vessels that feature multiple bedrooms and seating capacity for over 100 persons, with additional features thrown in.

 

The Alappuzha-based CTN Agro and the Coir Group have added heat to the competition for sheer size, launching a six bedroom boat that also boasts of conference facilities for 150 persons, besides an open-to-air courtyard in the middle of the vessel.

 

"We find a growing demand from group travellers who need more than a couple of rooms and from corporates who are looking for conference facilities for 100 or more executives. Besides, a larger number of rooms provides better economy in operations," says Aria Holidays and Resorts advisor Sreekumar N. The firm operates the CTN Agro and Coir-promoted houseboat business.

 

Mr Sreekumar says a healthy trend being witnessed in the houseboat business is the growing percentage of revenue contributed by the domestic travellers, adding that the majority of revenues presently come from domestic clients.

Pulickattil Houseboats MD Tomy Pulickattil, who was the first to launch mega-sized houseboats with conferencing facilities, adds that the larger vessels are attracting both foreign and domestic clients for meetings and conferences.

 

Industry circles are also upbeat about smaller corporates and holiday groups opting for large houseboats. "There is a particularly growing interest among Tamil Nadu groups, besides smaller companies in Kerala itself, to discuss business and hold board meetings while enjoying a backwater cruise," they explain. In 2007, foreign tourist arrivals to Kerala had touched 5.15 lakh, an increase of over 20% over the previous year.

 

Coir exports register volume growth

Coir exports register volume growth

The Hndu : Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Export of coir products from India during the last financial year went up by 11.15 per cent in volume to touch 1,87,566 tonnes though earnings in Rupee terms came down two per cent compared to the previous financial year.

During 2006-07, coir and coir products exports was 1,68,755 tonnes.

Coir and coir products exports during 2007-08 fetched Rs.592.88 crore.

A Coir Board communication said it appeared that an average of 12.5 per cent appreciation in Rupee against the US Dollar had impacted coir exports in value terms. During 2006-07, coir and coir products exports fetched Rs.605 crore.

The Coir Board claimed that coir and coir products export overcame several hurdles during the financial year under review to touch growth in volume. Coir Board Chairman A.C. Jose claimed that but for the Rupee appreciation, coir exports during last financial year would have fetched a total of Rs.636 crore.

India exports coir and coir products to more than 97 countries across the globe and the United States of America continues to be the single largest market for Indian coir products with a share of more than 40 per cent of total exports.

European countries buy 41 per cent of the Indian coir products.

Exports from India include raw materials like coir fibre, yarn, and curled coir; furnishings like door mats, matting, rugs, and carpets, coir rope and rubberised coir, coir pith-based products for agricultural operations and soil erosion control products like coir geo textiles.

SME innovates to tide over crisis

SME innovates to tide over crisis

Coir product manufacturers in Kerala are passing through troubled times. Three factors have made their survival an issue. An appreciating rupee, the recession in the US and the effects of its spillover to major European markets. The first blow, almost two years ago, came in the form of non-acceptance of jute products. Most of the coir product exporters in the Alappuzha region had been banking on jute products to keep profitability going. "Jute suddenly went out of fashion and poly propylene components took centre stage. This led to the ruining of business for many," says Rishi Charankattu, owner of Leo Tex, a coir and jute products manufacturer and exporter. What then is the remedy to tide over the problems ? Innovation, says Rishi. He adds: "The players in the segment, both small and medium, need to look at diversification to stay afloat in these times of recession. So we have lined up a product that is expected to see us through." Leo Tex is planning a foray into the manufacture of aromatic coir mats. These will combine the qualities of coir with the ayurvedic effects of cuscus grass, locally known as ramacham. "By adding cuscus grass, we expect to add healing value to the traditional coir mats," he says. Cuscus grass is an important ingredient in ayurvedic healthcare and is well-known as a natural cooling agent. The company plans to bring in the expertise of yarn makers to combine the qualities of both the ingredients. "The ayurvedic mats with the coir and cuscus grass is in a 70:30 ratio. The products, which would be natural coolers and healing agents, would also emit an exotic aroma because of the cuscus grass," he adds. Rishi has already taken samples of the product to many international expo and hopes to secure orders from warm regions like West Asia, the hot and humid southern regions of the US such as San Fransisco and in the domestic market as well. The pricing and the investment aspects are still not decided as the company feels that the market needs be convinced of the product first. With Leo Tex leading the innovation charge, it is expected that other players in Alappuzha and the rest of Kerala also innovate to tide over the crisis.