Training on coir product manufacturing
 

by Anjana Samarasinghe

The Coconut Development Authority (CDA) has initiated a program to train rural industrialists on manufacturing coir product and expect to join hands with coir products exporters to find international markets.

Director (Processing Development) of CDA W. K. N. Shanthichandra said that their main objective of this project is to promote exporting coir as a finish product rather than as raw materials. "We need to develop this cottage industry as a foreign exchange generator and enhance the rural economy", he said.

The training program is specially targeted at rural communities in the South and North West province. The training is on manufacturing door mats, yarns, corridor mats and fancy items made from coir. Duration of the training period is nearly two months. Participants who complete the training will receive tool kits and raw material worth Rs. 5000. Participants can choose the product they want to have the training on.

Training programs conducted in Tissamaharama, Pannala, Napokuna and Udawela have already been completed. CDA also expects to start a geo textile manufacturing training program in Tissamaharama.

I would like to invite exporters who are involved in exporting finish coir products to join hands with CDA to promote these products as income generator. Exporters who received orders for these products can join with the CDA. CDA will make necessary arrangements to fulfil their export orders through well trained industrialists, Shanthichandra said.