Four mega coir units planned in State

The Karnataka State Coir Development Corporation (KSCDC) will submit a proposal to the State government, to set up four mega units for manufacture of various coir products.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Corporation Chairman Kadur C Nanjappa said the units were proposed in Varuna Assembly constituency in Mysuru district, between Kadur and Birur in Chikkamagaluru district, Belagavi and Kalaburgi districts.

While the cost for setting up a unit at the Varuna constituency is estimated to be at around Rs 25 crore, Rs 10 crore each has been sought for the other three units. Apart from the units, research and development centres in other parts of the State have also been proposed, he said.

Barring North Karnataka, coconut is widely cultivated in the State, he said and added that the resources available from the produce were not being utilised properly. Though various products made from the coir are available, less than 25 per cent of the available husk is utilised, he added.

Nanjappa said that the Corporation was facing a loss of about Rs six crore and measures were being taken to turn it into a profitable organisation. “We are trying to increase the sale of coir products by grading it as ‘Kalpavruksha.’ An action plan for marketing it is also being formed,” he said.

The corporation has showrooms in only seven districts of the State. Plans are afoot to open one centre each in 23 other districts, Nanjappa added.

He said that coconut farmers in the South Interior Karnataka had been severely affected by blast and mite diseases in the recent years. The diseases are yet to be contained, he said.

“Despite farmers facing problems due to these diseases, officials of the Horticulture department are not responding to the problems. Officials should move out of the comfort of their offices, visit the affected farmers and offer solutions to them,” Nanjappa said.
DH News Service