A Socio Economic Analysis of Coir Workers in Kanyakumari District

Author:N. Indraa*, T. Vijaya Kumarb

Abstract:
Indian coir industry is an important cottage industry contributing significantly to the economy to the major coconut growing states and Union Territories. Coir industry has to its credit a tradition and heritage of centuries. It is one of the few rural or traditional industries converting the coconut husk, waste, into wealth. This industry is the largest producer of coir, accounting for more than 80 percent of the world’s production of coir fibre. The development of this agro- based industry is a condition which should be satisfied for economic prosperity as it has backward and forward linkages. One of the special characteristics of the coir industry is that it provides to agricultural labourers. Over six lakh employers, of whom a majority are from rural area and economically weaker sections of the sociality. Women contribute nearly 85 per cent of the work force and it remains as a pet industry for them. Hence Coir Industry is generally considered a vehicle for the generation of productive employment and income for the rural poor. The coir industry in Kanyakumari District was pastrol in nature and generated employment to the uneducated people in rural areas .The industry prevents migration of the unemployed in search of greener pastures and offers scope to take up trade individually at chores. Women could attend to their household chores and put to use of leisure time available in spinning fibre or defibering or making ropes with coconut husk, major raw material, which is available in plenty in Kanyakumari District, where coconut is the second major plantation crop next to rubber. There are more than 50,000 coir workers approximate. Since it has a greater sense of wages for what they do, it does not count the time bound engagement in work. This is also an easy task for anyone to have an entry into the coir work. State Government and coir board have clustered together to strengthen the involvement of the works. If this venture goes on the right track, the involvement of the youth might be higher and more wage inflow for the coir workers.

Keywords:Key Words: Coir Industry, Coir workers, Coir Board, Co-Conut husk, Coir Co-operative Society, Coir Fiber, Rubberized Coir.

DOI:

International Journal of Trade & Commerce (Vol: 6 Issue:2)