Boosting Coir & By-Product Production Essential: Mos Shobha Karandlaje

(MENAFN- KNN India) Bengaluru, July 11 (KNN) Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Shobha Karandlaje, on Thursday underscored the urgent need to scale up coir and by-product production in India, highlighting that only 30 percent of the country's coconut husk is currently utilised.

During a review of the Research and Development activities at the Central Institute of Coir Technology (CICT), Coir Board, Bengaluru, the Minister stressed enhancing value addition in the sector to meet rising domestic demand, particularly for coco peat, and to explore emerging applications in horticulture and allied fields.

Karandlaje expressed a strong interest in promoting sustainable practices through the extraction of carbon from coir fibre, which she noted could contribute to environmental sustainability and generate carbon credits.

She proposed the development of modular training programmes aligned with industry demands-focusing on coconut-based product innovation, carbon or charcoal extraction, and coir wood panel manufacturing.

Calling for deeper collaboration, the Minister urged the Coir Board and CICT to partner with national institutions such as ICAR, CPCRI, IIHR, the Coconut Development Board, NHAI, and state-level export units.

The aim, she said, is to foster scalable, high-value coir-based innovations with commercial potential.

She also emphasised the importance of transferring developed technologies to farmers, entrepreneurs, and cooperatives through a phased and sector-specific strategy to ensure broad-based adoption and industry growth.

As part of her visit, Karandlaje toured the institute's workshop, display centre, and the Coir Wood house. She reviewed the product offerings and highlighted the need for greater urban visibility and market access for eco-friendly, artisan-crafted coir products.

(KNN Bureau)

MENAFN11072025000155011030ID1109789980