A STUDY ON QUALITY AND PRODUCTION RECITAL OF COIR INDUSTRY

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. http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/index.asp 102 editor@iaeme.com

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: Year TABLE 1 SHOWING THE PLAN EXPENDITURE AND ALLOCATION OF FUNDS Budget Plan (Rs. In Crore) Actual fund released Shortage of funds 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 % of Shortage http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/index.asp 103 editor@iaeme.com

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 Year Non-Plan Budget Actual fund released Shortage of funds % of Shortage 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 nonplan expenditure. Year COIR FIBER PRODUCTION IN INDIA COIR FIBER PRODUCTION ( Metric Ton) increase and decrease Percentage of increase and decrease 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 Particular 2013 to 2014to 2015 to 2016 to 2017 to 2018 (Up to Dec 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 Total 713450 717761 721970 726749 729267 http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/index.asp 104 editor@iaeme.com

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 Particular Quantity(MTs) Value (Rs. In Lakh) 2013 to 2014 5,37,040.3 8 1,47,603.8 4 2014to 2015 2015 to 2016 2016 to 2017 2017 to 2018 (Up to Dec 2017) 6,26,666 7,52,020 9,57,045 2,54,039 1,63,033.7 7 1,90,142.5 2 2,28,164.8 2 58,129.85 http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/index.asp 105 editor@iaeme.com

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. http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/index.asp 106 editor@iaeme.com

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 http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/index.asp 107 editor@iaeme.com

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 http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/index.asp 108 editor@iaeme.com