Text and Photos by Suresh Unnithan
Learn the art of “spinning fortune from coir” from Archana, a young rural house wife. She acquired this skill form Central Coir Research Institute (CCRI) Alapuzha, one of the Nation’s premier institutions researching on coir and coir products.
“A fortnight’s training at CCRI could change my life for better. Now I am able to make a better living from coir” says an Archana. Training in coir production helped this rural house wife recover from her fiscal chaos. Today she is a proud owner of a coir unit that has changed her destiny for better.
“We have in our unit five coir spinning machines. We manufacture over 10 metric tons of quality coir a month from the coconut husk” Archana says with a smile of self-confidence. While the world is struggling to deal with continuing economic distress this young lady coir manufacturer is happy and stress-free, for she is able to generate a sustainable income from her unit. “I am glad for the simple reason that even during the corona days when people are struggling for survival; I am able to support ten families. Thanks to CCRI, I am able to come out of a fiscal mess. A fortnight training form the Institute boosted my confidence to start a coir production unit. Now I am financially self –supported,”
The story of Archana illustrates the contribution of CCRI in build an economically self-sustainable Rural India. The research institute has trained many thousands to make a living out of coconut husk.
“Our research and development is aimed at designing projects and products that could improve the fiscal health of the less privileged in the society,” says Anita Jacob, director of the Institute. For her “coconut husk is never a worthless waste. We impart training to manufacture and develop products of house hold and industrial use. This training has helped many to generate sustainable income. Ours is a silent revolution to build fiscal fitness of the nation.”
CCRI has developed over 400 quality products from coconut fibre, thanks to Central Coir Research Institute, a premiere research organization of the country at Alappuzha. Currently the coir products worth Rs 3000 crore are exported to various destinations, including Europe and US.
“From waste to wealth is our leading slogan” says Radhakrishnan, an Assistant Director of the institution in charge of training. “We have trained many thousands from researchers to labourer to design and manufacture verity of value added coir products. Many of them are flourishing economically and at least a few of them are now exporting their products to far off countries including the Europe and US.”
CCRI has a group of well qualified trainers under Radhakrishnan ready to travel to any destination to train the interested. “Our declared mission is to impart training on making of quality and attractive products from coir like light coir mats that could give the effect of acupuncture. Artistic articles for house decorations etc. Name the product we make it and also train you to make it,” says a Radhakrishnan.
The research team of CCRI has developed amazing products out of the coconut husk. For instance, the research team headed by young lady scientist Sumy Sebastian has developed a fire resistant material from coconut fiber that could be used for insulating the interiors of trains and other passenger vehicles.
Talking about her new creation an elated Sumi said “we are almost complete with the product, just a couple of minor tests more, the product will be out for purposeful use.
Generally synthetic materials are used in railway applications and they are complex in nature. Basically these synthetic materials used inside the passenger cabins, like the seat cushions and overhead insulations are non-biodegradable and poor conductors of heat and have a low heat capacity. The new product developed from coir is natural, fire proof and above all less expensive compared to the synthetic material.
CCRI has done enough contribution to the agriculture segment also. The coir compost they developed is on high demand. “Coir compost is totally organic. Farmers are now opting for organic manure, thanks to the awareness about the hazardous chemical fertilizers we use for farming.”
Union Minister for Surface Transport and MSME Nitin Gadkari is extending support CCRI (the institute comes under MSME Ministry) for productive ventures. Recently the Minister had asked the Institute to develop a special coir product (geo textile) that could be used for road building and the Institute has almost through with the task.
CCRI has a solution for most of our mundane needs. From furniture to organic manure the institute has “coir solution”. Coir wood is now a “Hit” among the nature lovers. “Not just your regular furniture, you can even build your complete house with Coir materials” Radhakrishnan explains.
To physically explain their “Coir competency” a house fully built from coir is exhibited in the Coir Museum for anyone to feel the skill.
Yes, CCRI walks the talk.
* To be continued
Hats off to CCRI. The design necklace is marvelous. Thought of making a coir hause itself a creative venture.