CoirBoard sets export target of Rs 550 crore this fiscal

Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, Sep 27 (UNI) The Coir Board has set itself an export target of Rs 550 crore this fiscal, according to Coir Board Regional Officer T P Padmanabhan.

Talking to UNI, Mr Padmanabhan said the Coir Board would undertake different promotional activities to facilitate more exports of coir products.

He said the coir industry was slowly picking up in Andhra Pradesh, but indiscriminate use of coconut husk as fuel had created trouble for the industry in finding adequate raw material.

Instead of burning the coir pith, it could be converted into manure as per the methodology developed by the Central Coir Research Institute based at Alleppey, Kerala.

Pointing out the growing export potential of coir pith, he said the export, which stood at Rs 10.14 crore during 2001-02 had gone up to Rs 36.34 crore during 2005-06.

Mr Padmanabhan said the Coir Board would initiate new programmes like cluster development under the scheme for re-generation of traditional industries.

Mr Padmanabhan said so far the Coir Board had extended assistance of Rs 31.21 lakhs to 109 Coir Manufacturing Units in Andhra Pradesh.

UNI BAK AJ RA VV1918