(a): the steps being taken by the Government for the development of the coir industry;
(b): the details of research undertaken for the production methods to improve quality of products;
(c): the steps taken to explore national/international market for coir products; and
(d): the measures taken/proposed by the Government to encourage regeneration of traditional industry in the country?
MINISTER OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES & AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES (SHRI MAHABIR PRASAD)
(a)to( d): A Statement is placed on the Table of the Sabha. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN ANSWER TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.93 BY SHRI PANNIAN RAVINDRAN AND SHRI NAVJOT SINGH SIDHU FOR ANSWER ON 28.11.2006 REGARDING PROMOTION OF COIR/TRADITIOINAL INDUSTRIES.
(a):The Coir Board, a statutory organisation set up under the Coir Industry Act, 1953, has been implementing various developmental projects aimed at modernisation, research and development, technology up-gradation, market promotion, skill development, infrastructure up-gradation, etc., for development of the coir industry.
(b): Research work undertaken for improving quality of products and production methods, inter alia, include development of Coirret, Pithplus, Anugraha Loom, Anupam Loom, Coir Polymer Composite Boards, Cocolawn and pollution free pre-spinning process of coir fibres.
(c): The steps taken by the Government to popularise the use of coir and coir products in the country and abroad, inter alia, include:
(i) publicity through the print and electronic media in the country and abroad;
(ii) placing of hoardings and banners featuring coir products at vantage points in different cities of the country; and
(iii) participation by the Coir Board as well as producers/exporters in trade fairs, exhibitions, buyer-seller meets, seminars and conferences, etc., in the country and abroad.
(d): The Ministry of Agro and Rural Industries launched the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) in October 2005 with a view to making the traditional industries more productive, competitive and facilitating their sustainable development. As per guidelines of the Scheme, Technical Agencies (TAs) having expertise in cluster development methodology have been identified for providing technical support to the Nodal Agencies and the implementing agencies (IAs) undertaking cluster development activities. 25 coir clusters covering 12 States/UT have been approved for development under SFURTI.