Huge quantities of coconut husk available in the Malabar Region, which accounted for 60 % of the state's coconut production, was presently being procured by Tamil Nadu which exported substantial quantities of fibre and coir pith, particularly to China, resulting in cost escalation, sources said.
The industry is facing shortage of raw material and skilled labour due to which it is presently sourcing coir fibre for production of value added products from Tamil Nadu, especially Pollachi, Tenkasi, Cumbam, Theni and Nagercoil. The board has extended support to the Kerala government for reviving defunct defibring units in Malabar region of Kerala and for also identifying new sources of fibre supply from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh as well. Coir industry in Kerala needs around two lakh tonne of coir fibre annually as against production of 50,000 tonne within the state.
Exports of coir fibre have increased by 273 % in volume and 299 % in value terms in 2009-10 as compared with the same period of last fiscal. Similarly, curled coir exports are up by 130 % in volume and 186 % in value for the same period.
Speedy mechanization of the Salem and Pollachi coir sectors, taking advantage of a Coir Board scheme that extended 40% government subsidy to coir spinning and tiny sectors has helped in reviving the sector, board sources said. The Board has also decided to set up a coir yarn procurement centre at Salem for the purpose.
source : http://www.financialexpress.com/news/fibre-supply-to-help-coir-exporters/736234/1
