INDIA EXPORTS COIR GEOTEXTILES WORTH
RS. 8.65 CRORES
The Minister of State for Agro and
Rural Industries, Shri Sangh Priya Gautam said that as the world
is shifting to natural geotextiles to prevent soil erosion, India
has much to gain by using its own coir geotextiles for meeting
domestic as well as global demand. Inaugurating a seminar on ‘Coir
Bhoovastra’ (coir geotextiles, an eco friendly soil saver) here
today, the Minister said that coir geotextiles is being used in
many countries and India has exported 1,752 tonnes of coir geotextiles
worth of Rs. 7.80 crores during the year 2001-2002 and 1825 tonnes
worth Rs 8.65 crores till February 2003, this year.
The Minister said
that coir geotextiles had a very fast growing global market and
Coir Board of India had made a significant development by using
coir in the field of soil engineering to solve the problems of
soil erosion. He called upon the Indian Coir Industry to launch
a massive awareness campaign to attract the market, both domestic
and global, for greater utilisation of durable eco friendly coir
products. The Indian Coir Industry can play a greater role in
generating rural employment and to help boost in national economy,
he said. Shri Gautam further said that Coir industry is highly
labour-intensive which provide employment to more than five lakhs
of people out of which 80 per cent are women. The Minister assured
that his ministry will take all possible steps to further promote
the coir sector.
Speaking on the occasion,
Shri S.K.Tuteja, Secretary, Small Scale Industries and Agro &
Rural Industries, said impact of WTO has made us to face world
competition and Government will give its all possible support
including technology upgradation to strengthen and develop the
coir industry.
Highlighting the
achievements of the Coir Board, the Chairman, Coir Board, Shri
A.K.Dayanand said that several innovative schemes have been launched
for training and employment, especially aimed at empowering women.
The Mahila Coir Yojana, a self-employment scheme implemented by
the Coir Board since 1994 ensures greater and more meaningful
participation of women in coir activities. With the funding support
by the United Nation Development Programme, the Board has recently
concluded a project that helped in the development of clusters
in major coir producing States in India, he said
The seminar is one
in the series of seminars organised by the Coir Board for popularisation
of Coir Bhoovastra through awareness creation. The seminar was
attended by scientists, representatives of international agencies,
academicians, manufacturers, existing and potential endusers among
others.
