GoI sets up Centre of Excellence for coir applications

The Coir Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IIT Madras. The memorandum aims to set up a Centre of Excellence for Coir Applications.

Highlights

• Under the MoU, the Centre of Excellence is to extend the research work of the coir sector with the support of IIT Madras. 
• The MoU will extend the use of Coir Geo Textiles. 
• The Coir Geo Textiles are used to prevent soil erosion in river embankments, slopes and mine slope stabilization. 
• The Coir Geo Textiles can also be used in low volume rural roads as re-enforcement material.

Role of Centre of Excellence

• The Centre of Excellence of Coir applications will assist in generating technology transfer and Intellectual Property Rights. 
• It will provide financial assistance of Rs 5 crores for a period of two years. 
• Around 27 areas of Research and Development have been identified that are to be taken up by the Centre of Excellence. 
• This includes 10 projects of IIT-Madras.

Significance of Coir

• India and Sri Lanka are the leading producers of Coir. 
• Together, they account to 90% of global coir fiber production.
• In India about 5.5 lakh persons are employed in coir industry. 
• The seventh and eight plans focused exquisitely on the development of coir industry. 
• India utilises only 50% of the coconut husks in the coir industry. 
• The remaining husks are used as fuel in rural areas. 
• With just 50%, India today fulfils two-thirds of the coir product needs in the world.