A dwindling workforce and a reluctance to embrace new technologies is costing the coir industry in North Andhra dear, with seven out of 14 industries shutting shop in the last few years in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts.
The closure of these industries will have a direct impact on coconut farmers, who grow it in 25,000 acres in the region. The outer shell and husk of the coconut is used to make a variety of coir products, such as mats, rope, rugs, textiles, fiber scrubs, cleaning brushes, vegetable cleaners, and garden implements.
Although the coir industry is reaping modest profits in States like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the industry is going through a turbulent patch in Andhra Pradesh. Mongam Srinivasa Rao, State secretary of National Coir Federation’s A.P. chapter, tells The Hindu that the industry would be able to survive in North Andhra region only if the government extends its support in the form of power tariff subsidy and incentives for adoption of new technologies.
