Coir Vikas Yojana is a government scheme that aims at the development of domestic and export markets, skill development and training, empowerment of women, employment and entrepreneurship creation and development, enhanced raw material utilization, trade-related services, welfare activities for the coir workers.The scheme is under the Coir Board, Ministry of micro small and medium enterprises to develop export and domestic markets for coir. It was earlier called the Coir Plan (General ) Scheme. Both MSMEs and individuals are eligible under the scheme.
Salient Features
It has the following components in the 12th Plan: Skill Upgradation and Mahila Coir Yojana (MCY), Export Market Promotion(EMP), Development of Production Infrastructure (DPI), Domestic Market Promotion (DMP), Trade and Industry Related Functional Support Services (TIRFSS), Welfare Measure ( Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme).
The nodal agency of the scheme is Coir Board, Kochi. The Central Institute of Coir Technology and Central Coir Research Institute is responsible for technical intervention when necessary.
Objectives of the Scheme
The scheme aims at establishing new state-of-the-art coir processing units, updating existing coir units, improving the quality and productivity by modernizing the infrastructure of existing units, bringing in new generation entrepreneurs into the industry, promoting the usage of information technology, make coir industry more competitive by using modern technology, use technological advancements to make the coir industry pollution-free, better usage of existing raw materials, bringing up industry in the areas which have potential, adoption of eco-friendly techniques, production of high-value products, help women especially, rural women get better employment opportunities.
The scope of the Scheme
The program under various schemes offers a lot of benefits. Under Mahila Coir Yojana there is a provision for equipment for coir spinning, coir spinning rates, machinery, materials, and other necessities with a 75% subsidy. There is a focus on imparting quality consciousness at grass root level among workers and educating them about appropriate production methods related to standard quality yarn, fiber, and other products, and creating awareness among coconut growers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to set up coir based production units, and modernize existing production units to achieve better quality products and improved earnings.
Coir board also takes responsibility for training associated with coir processing to workers and artisans in the industry through training centers such as National Coir Training and Design Center, Alleppey, and Regional Training Centers of the Coir Board across India.
The board also conducts training sessions at field training centers according to the workers’ convenience. These centers are run with the help of cooperative societies, NGOs, associations, and SFURTI clusters related to the coir industry. Various skill upgradation training programs have been initiated by the Coir Board to create skilled manpower and the stipend of Rs. 1000 is paid to individuals who are a part of it.
The coir industry is severely affected by lack of appropriate training, unstructured and unorganized functioning, and struggles to achieve the expected level of quality in the final production. It is a traditional product and thus there is the scope of skill development that is crucial for the overall development of the sector. Training and upskilling are important for the growth of this industry in untested, non-traditional areas.