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Infrastructure Development Industry and Labour

3.122 Major infrastructure development activities done during the reporting period are revitalisation of
readymade garment unit at kalathur in kottayam , Installation of new machinery and re- electrification
of hand made paper unit at Olarikkara, Thrissur, renovation of Marketing complex at Kaloor, Khadi
Grama Soubhagya at Kozhikode and Palakkad, construction of 11 work sheds, 3 boiling sheds and 4
toilets in departmental units, extension of drinking water facilities to 13 depatmental units, renovation
of 11 departmental units, electrification of 4 departmental units , ceiling for 4 departmental units,
fencing for 4 departmental units, purchase of 120 Charkahs and 30 looms and purchase of 100 nos.
of cotton bales as part of Expansion & Modernisation of Sliver project at Ettukudukka in Kannur,

3.123 The strategy for achieving growth during the 12th Plan is to develop product-wise clusters of
Khadi and Village Industries products and to develop their domestic as well as export market. Other
strategies include introducing innovations in design and technology, creation of entrepreneurship
and growth in manufacturing in rural non-farm sector to prevent migration by enhanced allocation for
Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme. The Khadi Reforms Programme at National
Level has been taken up and it includes introduction of ‘Khadi mark’. Central Khadi Mark Committee
has approved 21 institutions in kerala aided by KVIC for khadi mark certificate. Govt. of India has also
moved for a global trade mark for ‘khadi’.

Challenges

3.124 Major challenges faced by Khadi and Village Industry are Scarcity of raw material, increased
production cost, lack of mechanisation, low productivity , competition from synthetic and cheaper
materials, lack of professional management, lack of product diversification and migration of workers
to other areas.

Coir Industry

3.125 Coir is a natural fibre extracted from the husk of coconut used for making various Coir products.
India is the largest producer of coir in the world accounting more than 80 % of the Production of coir
fibre. The export of coir and coir products in India reached 1476. 04 crore during 2013-14 recording
a growth rate of 27 % in value terms over the previous year. ‘ Return to nature concept’ has brought
intensive affinity for coir and coir products all over the world. During the reporting period , coir and
coir products were exported to 103 countries all over the world and among these countries , China
and USA ranked first and second position in import. The share of the public sector institutions
from kerala in export is 3. 6 crore in value terms during 2013-14 which shows a marginal growth
compared to previous year. It is a major agro based export and employment oriented traditional
industry in Kerala. This sector is of prime importance in Kerala as it is the next avenue of employment
after agriculture. It provides employment to nearly 3.75 lakh people of which women belonging to
BPL constitute 75 per cent. The availability of coconut husks , natural conditions provided by the
lakes ,lagoons and back waters for retting coconut husk and traditional expertise of the people were
the reasons for flourishing the industry in the state , especially in the coastal area. Co- operative
sector plays a major role in the coir industry in kerala. The coir industry is classified in to three sectors
viz: Defibering sector, Yarn sector and Product sector.

3.126 In the State of Kerala, to give specific emphasis for the sustainable development of Coir
industry Government have constituted a separate administrative department and a Coir Directorate
.Directorate of Coir development with 10 project offices all over the state is the agency for implementing
all the policy decisions of the Government of Kerala as regards Coir Industry. Kerala State Coir
Corporation (KSCC), Coirfed, National Coir Research and Management Institute ( NCRMI), Foam
Mattings India Ltd.( FOMIL), Kerala State Coir Workers Welfare Fund Board and Coir Co- operatives

Economic Review 2014