Kudumbashree - Success Story of Kalpaka Coir unit

Defibering coir and earning livelihood: Success Story of Kalpaka Coir unit

Coir industry, being the largest cottage industry in Kerala have been losing its momentum for the last few decades and was trying to regain its original power through the interventions made by the Kerala government. Kudumbashree Mission is also trying to cop-up with this innovations of coir department by creating women Coir defibering units with most modern machinery systems. Kalpaka Kudumbashree coir unit in Thrissur district of Kerala, being the second Kudumbashree unit of this type in Kerala started its operation in July 2018. Six Kudumbashree women entrepreneurs running this unit successively by collecting coconut husk from various parts of Thrissur district. Collected husks are processed through modern machineries and fibres are sold directly to coir fed.

Raw husk processed through the coir defibering unit will produce three types of products called long fibre, baby fibre and coir pith. Coir fed, a government institution directly buying long fibres at a rate of Rs.18-22 per kilogram and other products are sold through local tie ups. Machinery capacity of this unit is 8000 husks per day and 1000 husks give 90 Kg long fibers. Highly enthusiastic team members got training in manufacturing fertilizer from the coir pith which gave them additional income from this process. Unit members are looking for additional training to produce eco-friendly products and thereby would like to bring an innovative change in the industry and would like to create more business tie-ups. Kodakara Block panchayath had allotted a building for this unit and the project of Kudumbashree Mission with coir department gave machineries for this unit. They were also provided with fund support for their initial capital requirement and complete support for setting up of this unit. The main challenge facing by this unit is the transportation cost in collecting husks from distant locations and also the scarcity in its availability. Unit is looking for the production of additional products from the waste materials and its market tie ups.

Kalpaka unit is providing livelihood opportunity for 6 Kudumbashree women by producing eco-friendly coir products. Technological innovations in the coir production sector bring more members to start units of similar kind. Day by day, people from nearby panchayats are visiting this unit to study their operation for implementing such units in their locations. Kudumbashree is providing all supports to those interested people to retain our traditional industry. Kalpaka coir unit members are spreading their message to the whole society along with their eco-friendly products that “We are born to win not to lose” !

With their committed and socially responsible works, Kalpaka Coir unit had been bringing in positive changes in the society thereby raising themselves. It is sheer confidence that brought the micro entrepreneurs of Kalpaka Coir unit to greater heights. By extending opportunities to many women like the entrepreneurs of Kalpaka Coir unit, Kudumbashree Mission is giving wings to the dreams of many.