Hoping to boost Kerala’s coir industry, the V.D. Satheesan government is set to launch a campaign called “One Coir Product for Every Home” during the upcoming Onam season. This initiative aims to encourage households and government offices to buy at least one coir product, reviving local demand for Kerala’s traditional natural fiber goods.
The campaign was unveiled by Minister for Home and Coir Ramesh Chennithala after extensive discussions with various stakeholders in Alappuzha, the hub of Kerala’s coir economy. The strategy includes calls for structural reforms, such as halting new hirings in key coir organizations and enhancing operational efficiency to address the sector’s challenges.
To address the industry’s concerns, project officers have been tasked with submitting reports outlining the issues faced by coir societies in each district and proposing viable solutions within a week. Key challenges highlighted include the shortage of coconut husks and decreasing fiber production, with plans to involve the Haritha Karma Sena in collecting coconut husks from households to boost raw material supply.
Industry representatives emphasize the need for mechanization to maintain Kerala’s coir products’ competitiveness in global markets. Additionally, small-scale producers are facing financial strains due to pending dues from the Coir Corporation, amounting to around Rs 38 crore, impacting production and cash flow. Efforts are underway to provide support to coir workers and enhance the marketability of Kerala’s coir products through branding initiatives.
