Date:15/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/08/15/stories/2006081501330800.htm

Back Kuwait co buys tech to convert coir pith into organic manure

Our Bureau

Signs MoU with Coir Board

Kochi , Aug. 14

The Central Coir Research Institute in Alappuzha, under the Coir Board, has developed a technology for converting coir pith into organic manure. Using this technology, coir pith can be converted into enriched organic manure (C- pom).

The Coir Board has a patent for the technology. The Coir Board has licensed this proven technology to the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), New Delhi, for preparation of soil conditioner from coir pith for commercialisation.

The Gulf Cooperation Council GCC countries import Sphagnum Peat Moss from Europe and Australia mainly for increasing the moisture retention capacity of soil. Due to the ban imposed on the mining of peat bogs, they are looking for an alternative material.

Alghanim and Sons, a Kuwait-based company, approached the Coir Board to transfer the technology for bioconversion of coir pith into soil conditioner. The Coir Board authorised NRDC to sign the MoU with Alghanim Sons Group at a cost of $40,000. This is the first time that a foreign company has come forward to purchase a technology developed by the Board.

An MoU, in this regard, was signed at Kochiin the presence of Mr Anupam Dasgupta, and Secretary, to Govt. of India, Ministry of SSI and ARI, and Mr A.C. Jose, Chairman, Coir Board. On behalf of NRDC, Mr Somanath Ghosh, CMD, signed the agreement with Mr Steve John Beaumont, Chief Operating Officer, and Mr Andrew Palhan, Technical Advisor, representing Alghanim and Sons, Kuwait.

Mr A.C. Jose said that this was a milestone in the history of the Board and may pave way for a vital breakthrough in its external marketing efforts.