Date:20/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/20/stories/2007042007390300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Stress on setting up more coir units in State

Special Correspondent

Agarwal Home Comforts showroom opened

GO on banning the burning of coconut husk as fuel demanded

Shifting of the regional office of the Coir Board from Vizag to Rajahmundry hailed

VISAKHAPATNAM: There is a need for setting up more cottage units and SSIs for coir manufacture in Andhra Pradesh, as the precious coconut fibre is being burned up as fuel and several agro-based units are being starved of raw material, according to Executive Director of Centuary Fibre Plates Private Ltd., Purushottam Malani.

Mr. Malani, who was here on Thursday in connection with the opening of a showroom, Agarwal Home Comforts, said his company, which was producing rubberised coir mattresses, and related products needed at least 500 tonnes of coir per month and only 100 tonnes or so was available in Andhra Pradesh.

The rest was being procured from Tamil Nadu and other southern states. He said coconut was being grown in the two Godavari districts, Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam extensively, but "the precious coconut husk is being burned up as fuel. There is no value addition and only during the past two years some attempts are being made to promote coir units in the State."