Recession has hit coir sector in Kerala

Kerala government has asked the Centre to fix Mimimum Purchase Price, Minimum Export Price and Rebate for coir products as a measure to help the sector reeling under the impact of global meltdown.    

'State government has taken several steps to meet the crisis in the sector and if the Centre also extends its co-operation, the coir sector would be in a position to tide over present situation, Kerala Minister for Co-operation and Coir G Sudhakaran told the assembly while replying to a calling attention.     

There was a fall in export of coir products to a tune of Rs.50 crores during the year and quantitie wise the fall would come to around 9000 tonnes, he said.     

To boost the domestic market, 600 stalls would be opened under co-operative sector, he said. The state government had already made procurement of coir worth Rs 22 crore under the Distress Purchase Scheme, he said.    

Steps were also on to waive the accumulated losses of coir co-operative societies with an objective to review the sick societies, he added.    

Calling attention on the crisis existing in the coir industry and to the necessity to take steps to implement the recommendations of the Coir Commission.