Coir industry should get adequate credit facilities: Pranab

President Pranab Mukherjee today said the coir industry should be given adequate credit facilities and access to modern technology for further growth of the sector.

"There are always challenges to be faced alongside success as in other areas of the agriculture sector; difficulties may be faced in availing credit facilities or with the cost of credit and often delays are encountered in procuring raw material," Mukherjee said here at the inauguration of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Coir Board.

"There is also the problem of inadequate access to updated technology. These are the areas where it is important for the coir industry to receive all the support that it can get," he said.

Mukherjee further said the sector should become self-reliant in terms of raw material procurement.

"I would urge employers to ensure that the workers engaged in this industry are provided enhanced support through the insurance and welfare scheme of the government," he added.

Appreciating the Coir Board's Mahila Coir Yojna Scheme, the President said it will boost self-confidence and self-reliance of women living in rural areas. The industry employs 700,000 workers, and 80 per cent of them are women in across 14 states and Union Territories.

He expressed hope that through research centres and continuous innovation of new products to popularise this natural and eco-friendly fibre, the board will achieve the goal of significantly increasing revenues of this agro-based industry in future.

The industry has evolved in terms of quality improvement, technological and scientific upgradation of the products; better market research and product promotion has helped the sector to garner over Rs 1,100 crore from exports, the President said.