International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET)

Volume 9, Issue 13, December 2018, pp. 102–108, Article ID: IJMET_09_13_012
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=9&IType=13
ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

A STUDY ON QUALITY AND PRODUCTION

RECITAL OF COIR INDUSTRY
Dr. E. SAMBASIVAN
Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM
Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai-603203.

Dr. S.VENNILAASHREE
Associate Professor, Department of Commerce, Vels University.

ABSTRACT
The state of kerala is also known for coir industry and it is an agro-based traditional
industry, which originated in the state of Kerala and proliferated to the other coconut
producing states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal,
Maharashtra, Assam, Tripura, etc. It is an export oriented industry and has greater
potential to enhance exports by value addition through technological interventions and
diversified products like Coir Geotextiles etc. The acceptability of Coir products has
increased rapidly due to its ‘environment friendly’ image. Thus, an attempt has taken-up
to study the performances of Coir Industry Services Sector.
Keywords: Coir Industry Services, diversified products
Cite this Article: Dr. E. Sambasivan and Dr. S.Vennilaashree, a Study on Quality and
Production Recital of Coir Industry, International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and
Technology, 9(13), 2018, pp. 102–108
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=9&IType=13

1. INTRODUCTION
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 is otherwise a
waste. The coir industry employs more than 7.00 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. Historically, the coir industry started and
flourished in Kerala which has a long coast line, lakes, lagoons and backwaters providing natural
conditions required for retting. 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 total production of coir fibre in the country during the year
2013-14 was 406441 M.T. The fibre production anticipated during 2014-15 is 671000 M.T.

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 Dr. E. Sambasivan and Dr. S.Vennilaashree

The Coir Board is a statutory body established under the Coir Industry Act, 1953 for
promoting the overall development of the coir industry and improvement of the living conditions
of the workers engaged in this traditional industry. The functions of the Coir Board for the
development of coir industry, inter-alia, include undertaking scientific, technological and
economic research and development activities; collection of statistics relating to exports and
internal consumption of coir and coir products; development of new products and designs;
publicity for promotion of exports and internal sales; marketing of coir and coir products in India
and abroad; preventing unfair competition among producers and exporters; assisting in the
establishment of units for the manufacture of products; promoting co-operative organisations
among producers of husk, coir fibre, coir yarn and manufacturers of coir products; ensuring
remunerative returns to producers and manufacturers, etc.

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Sasi [1995] reveals that the number of coir workers in coir industry has been reduced to 50%
with the passing of 50 years. According to him this is due to the increased exploitation of
labourers and lack of proper attention by authorities in the coir sector. He adds that the majority
of coir co-operatives are not functioning and the functioning ones are unable to pay Minimum
Wages to the workers. He stresses the need for ensuring co-operation between the private sector
and the co-operative sector for the healthy growth of the coir sector. The article demands
extension of Government assistance to private coir sector too.
Ajith Kurnar [2001], breifs the reason for decreased demand of coir yarn in USA. USA is
also considered as a major market for coir. According to the study there is also less competition
in Indian coir industry. The reduction in the area under Hop cultivation, as a consequence of the
use of high yielding hybrid varieties is one of the reasons for the reduced of take of coir yarn.
The use of conventional method of production which could not withstand the competition form
Sri Lanka in the U.S.A. market and he broke the Indian monopoly in the matter of supply of coir
yarn for Hop cultivation. The reasons for this situation are the emotional policies against
modernization and mechanization of coir industry in India.

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To study the support from the Government for Coir Board
2. To study the activities of the Coir Board
3. To study the domestic and export market promotion of Coir Industries.

4. ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

4.1. GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO COIR BOARD
The Government of India provides funds to Coir Board for undertaking its various activities under
Plan and Non-plan heads. The details of budgetary support provided to Coir Board during the last
three years and in 2016-17 are given in the Table below:

TABLE 1 SHOWING THE PLAN EXPENDITURE AND ALLOCATION OF FUNDS

(Rs. In Crore)
Budget
Year Shortage of funds % of Shortage
Plan Actual fund released
2013 – 2014 36.46 26.55 9.91 27.18
2014 – 2015 35.51 20.07 15.44 43.48
2015 – 2016 57.07 45.10 11.97 20.97
2016 to 2017 68.04 25.50 42.54 62.52

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 A Study on Quality and Production Recital of Coir Industry

The above table clearly explains that, the plan expenditure allocation of funds for the year
2013 to 2014, 27.18% of shortage of funds, 43.48% of funds shortage of funds in the year of 2014
to 2015, in the year 2015 to 2016 20.97% shortage of funds for plan expenditure and 2016 to
2017, and 62.52% of funds shortages. Therefore in the year 2016 to 2017 very huge shortage of
funds 62.52% for non-plan expenditure.

TABLE 2 SHOWING THE NON PLAN EXPENDITURE AND ALLOCATION OF FUNDS

Budget
Year Actual fund Shortage of funds % of Shortage
Non-Plan
released
2013 – 2014 20.00 15.24 4.76 23.8
2014 – 2015 15.24 15.07 0.17 1.11
2015 – 2016 19.02 19,17 -0.15 surplus
2016 to 2017 20.42 15.58 5.84 28.59
The above table clearly explains that, the non-plan expenditure allocation of funds for the
year 2013 to 2014, 23.8% of shortage of funds, 1.11% of funds shortage of funds in the year of
2014 to 2015, in the year 2015 to 2016 surpluses of funds for non-plan expenditure and 2016 to
2017, and 28.59% of funds shortages. Therefore in the year 2015 to 2016 surplus of funds for
non-plan expenditure but in the year 2016 to 2017 very huge shortage of funds 28.59% for non-
plan expenditure.

COIR FIBER PRODUCTION IN INDIA

COIR FIBER
Percentage of increase
Year PRODUCTION increase and decrease
and decrease
( Metric Ton)
2013 to 2014 5,39,815 nil nil
2014 to 2015 5,42,000 2,085 0.4047
2015 to 2016 5,49,300 7,300 1.34
2016 to 2017 5,56,900 7,600 1.38
2017 to 2018 3,25,900 2,31, 000 -58.52
The table inferred that the coir fiber production from 2013 to 2018. The coir production
measured that the every year gradually increase but the year 2017 to 2018 decrease the production
nearly 60%.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
2013 to 2014to 2015 to 2016 to 2017 to 2018 (Up to Dec
Particular
2014 2015 2016 2017 2017)
Andhara 52712 52946 53825 54477 54636
Karnataka 29920 30338 30440 30872 30963
Kerala 469968 470788 472100 472961 474256
Odisha 16923 17210 17535 17760 17858
Other States 20330 20542 20650 20876 20946
Tamil Nadu 123597 125937 127420 129803 130608
Grand
713450 717761 721970 726749 729267
Total

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 Dr. E. Sambasivan and Dr. S.Vennilaashree

The table and chart clearly explain that the coir industry gives employment opportunities in
the year 2013 to 2018 kerala state playing important role and followed by karnataka, tamil nadu
and andhara.

EXPORT OF COIR
2013 to 2014to 2015 to 2016 to 2017 to 2018 (Up to Dec
Particular
2014 2015 2016 2017 2017)
5,37,040.3
Quantity(MTs) 6,26,666 7,52,020 9,57,045 2,54,039
8
Value (Rs. In 1,47,603.8 1,63,033.7 1,90,142.5 2,28,164.8
58,129.85
Lakh) 4 7 2 2

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 A Study on Quality and Production Recital of Coir Industry

The above table explain that the export of coir every year gradually increase the export of
coir industries products in the year 2016to2017 high level export as per the data concerns.

5. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN COIR TECHNOLOGY

Central Coir Research Institute (CCRI), Kalavoor, Alleppey and Central Institute of Coir
Technology (CICT), Bangalore. In these research institutes activities for the different aspects of
coir industry is undertaken. The institutes also begin the research from the method of extraction
of fibre to the processing and manufacture of end products. The CCRI was established in 1959
and the CICT in 1980. The research institute CCRI concentrates on research concerning both the
white and brown fibre sectors, CICT confines to the brown fibre sector. Identification of new
user areas for utilization of coir and coir waste (coir pith), modernization of production
infrastructure for elimination of drudgery in manual operation thereby attaining higher
productivity and improvement in quality are integral parts of the research efforts. Research
investigations in CCRI have led to development of several new technologies for the coir industry
and it has been awarded the prestigious National Research and Development Corporation
(NRDC) Technology Awards thrice for innovations in 1999, 2002 and 2004. The recent
achievements of the Board include development of a versatile loom, named as “Anupam’, and a
mobile fibre extraction machine “Swarna” for extraction and manufacturing various coir products
with ease and higher productivity and development of a technology for pollution free retting. The
R&D activities of the Board concentrate in the following five areas:
1. Modernization of production process;
2. Development of machinery and equipments;
3. Product development & diversification; and Product development on brown coir;
4. Development of environment friendly technologies; and
5. Technology transfer, incubation, testing & service facilities

6. SCHEMES IMPLEMENTED IN COIR BOARD

6.1. Coir udyami yojana
This scheme for the purpose of credit linked schemes is giving for central government. The main
objective to modernization of coir industries development and enhancement is utilization of
coconut husk. This scheme generated more employment chances predominantly for women
employees in rural areas. During the period 2017 -18, 319 units developed up to December 2017

6.2. Coir vikas yojana

This scheme supports to generate a awareness about the coir products and training and
development programs like, entrepreneurship development programme, conducting the
workshop, seminar and tour etc.,. Under the scheme the coir board organized 10 workshops, 7
EDP and 19 awareness programme.

6.3. Mahila coir yojana

Under the scheme called the Mahila Coir Yojana is the first women oriented self- employment
Scheme in the coir industry which provides self-employment opportunities to the rural women
artisans in regions producing coir fibre. The conversion of coir fibre into yarn on motorised ratt
in rural households provides scope for large scale employment; improvement in productivity and
quality; better working conditions and higher income to the workers. The Scheme envisages
distribution of motorised ratts to women artisans after giving training for spinning coir yarn. One
artisan per household is eligible to receive assistance under the Scheme. The women spinners are
trained for two months in spinning coir yarn on motorised ratt at the Board’s Training Centres.

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 Dr. E. Sambasivan and Dr. S.Vennilaashree

A stipend of Rs.500/- is paid to the trainee which has been raised to Rs. 750/- per month. A
trainee, who passes the test conducted at the end of the training, is also eligible for subsidy for
purchasing a motorised ratt. The beneficiary under the scheme gets a subsidy of 75 per cent of
the cost of the motorized ratt subject to a maximum of Rs.7,500/- and 75 per cent of the cost or
Rs.3,200/- whichever is less, for motorised traditional ratts.
Quality Improvement Programme (QIP): The Coir Board organizes Quality Improvement
Programmes (QIPs) every year to motivate entrepreneurs to take up coir production and to create
quality consciousness among the coir workers in various processing activities viz:, spinning,
dyeing and on improving the quality of yarn and coir products.
Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP): As indicated by the appraisals of the
Coir Board, just around 40 % of the aggregate generation of coconut husk is being used in the
coir business. For producing employment in the coir area, the usage of husk must be expanded
impressively for which all the more new units are required to be set up. With a specific end goal
to spur and recognize imminent business people for setting up and overseeing new coir units, the
Coir Board arranges EDPs connecting professionally able and presumed associations.
Modernisation of production infrastructure by means of appropriate technology without
displacement of labour.
1. By expanding the local market through marketing and advertising.
2. Promotion of export of coir and new products through undertaking market promotion
measures abroad.
3. Establishing the research and development in the area of process and product
development
4. Empowerment of manpower through training programs.
5. Hands on experience in the field.

7. CHALLENGES TO COIR SECTOR

Coir business in India is usually an export oriented and labour intensive one. Even though the
Indian Coir continues to enjoy its supremacy in the world market, the products of this industry
face challenges due to other cheap products in the market.
Being manufactured from an agricultural produce with a relatively high level of costs of
inputs, Coir goods are dearer than synthetics and other competing items. The method of
production and processing of Coir, in many parts of the country, continues to be obsolete.
Modernization of the Coir Industry with condition of-craftsmanship creation procedures,
machinery and so on is in need of great importance. Despite the fact that there is hardened
competition for coir in the floor covering material, items like Coir Pith, Coir Geotextile, and Coir
Wood offers a plenty of chances in the creating scene in the world market.
Adequate market promotion in export countries may be required and through awareness
creation on the environment friendly aspects and new application area of coir products would
lead to long term gains to the Coir sector. Bringing coir products under the ‘Ecomark’ and
environment friendly goods category would be ideal step in this direction. Coir products being
100% ecofriendly and recyclable offers answer to the current day serious issues like deforestation,
global warming etc.

8. CONCLUSION
The Coir Industry has been significantly export oriented. India is one among the leading exports
of coir in the world. It is estimated that more than 90 percent of Indian Coir export revenue comes
from value added products. The industry set an ambitious target of achieving morethan Rs.2000
crore worth of exports by 2017. Both in terms of volume and value of coir and coir exports India

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 A Study on Quality and Production Recital of Coir Industry

occupies an importance place. The Central Government and State Governments, Coir Board and
NGOs should take essential footsteps to the growth of coir and coir products exports. In
increasing the export quality of coir products with International standards there needs a conduct
of export campaign among the companies involved in coir manufacturing. The Coir Board has
sought higher allocation in the Indian budget to overcome the prevailing economic slowdown
and the resultant impact on coir product exports, and the Board has taken a few steps to achieve
that.

REFERENCES
[1] Sasi, Vanvila. [1995], "Keralathinte Thanimayarnna Kayar Ulppathana Mekhala - Innele-
Innu- Nalle" [Mal. ], Souvenir, Department of Coir Development, Thiruvananthapuram, pp.
173-175.
[2] Ajith Kumar, P. (2001). Coir Bhoovastra- Some thoughts on Market Promotion. CoirNews,
VOl. XXX, No. 4, April 20, pp. 13-21
[3] Coir Fibre, Coir Board Annual Report, 2016-17
[4] MSME Annual Report 2016-17

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