Coir Board opens new office at Kannur

Kannur, Kerala, May 29 (UNI) The fifth regional office of Coir Board to cater to the developmental needs of the coir industry of Kerala, Lakshadeep, Goa and Maharashtra was inaugurated here today.

Inaugurating the office, the MP from Kannur A P Abdulla Kutty urged the Coir Board authorities to chalkout a master plan for the development of coir industry in the country, particullarly in Kerala.

Coir Board Chairman A C Jose said four lakh workers were engaged in the coir industry and out of them 80 per cent were women.

Mr Jose said there was tremendous scope for more fibre extraction units so as to increase the utilisation of husks from the present level of 38 per cent to 50 per cent.

He said the Coir Board would provide all support, including training and financial assistance for prospective enterpreneurs.

Mr Jose said the board would open a coir training service centre at Kozhikode to extend its service and maintenance facilities to the Cooperative societies in the Malabar region.

UNI BR/AK AJ 1814