CHAPTER VI

FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSION

 ~ 175 ~

FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSION

Today, India is the leading coir manufacturer in the world. Coir is

in great demand on account of its natural, bio-degradable and

environment friendly qualities. It has acquired an important position in

international markets, the reason for which could not be solely its value

as a commodity but also its value in trade. The golden textured Indian

captured the European and world markets in no time. At present, the

Indian coir industry has a phenomenal share of 89 per cent in the

global market for value-added coir products. World production of coir

fibre is estimated at 3,85,000 tonnes whereas the combined world

production of other similar hard fibres such as sisal, henequen and

abaca is two to three times that of coir fibre.

Considering the socio-economic prospects of the industry in the

state in general and Pudukkottai District in particular, higher output,

improved mechanisation, higher return and pertinent policy measures

for better results are the need of the hour, especially to promote the

industry in non-traditional areas like the study area. In this regard a

study of the factors which influence the performance of coir industry, if

identified, would help in assisting the government in policy formulation.

The analysis shows the strengths and weaknesses of coir production,

 ~ 176 ~

and these are to be borne in mind by the entrepreneurs. This study is

an attempt in this direction.

The present study was carried out with the following as its major

objectives:

1. To review the performance of coir industry units in Pudukkottai

District

2. To examine the production and marketing pattern and profit

margin of the small and the medium coir units in Pudukkottai

District

3. To identify the existing marketing channels available and to

evaluate the industry with regard to marketing cost, marketing

margin, price-spread and marketing efficiency

4. To study the HR practices of the units in the study area and to

measure the level of satisfaction of the workers on the prevailing

working conditions

5. To identify the problems faced by the units in production,

marketing and management of human resources

The study also attempted to test certain hypotheses, especially on

the socio-economic factors that influence the level of satisfaction of the

workers in the units of the study area.

 ~ 177 ~

The study area, Pudukkottai District, comprises 5 taluks. A list of

all the coir units in all the five taluks was obtained from the District

Industries Centre, Pudukkottai. It was ascertained that a total of 25

units were functioning in the study area as on 31st March 2015. These

units constituted the population. The 25 coir units were classified into

two groups, namely small and medium size units based on the norms

prescribed for capital investment by the District Industries Centre

(DIC). 17 units with investment upto Rs.15 lakhs were grouped as

small units and 8 units with investment ranging between Rs.15 lakhs

and Rs.3 crores were categorized as medium units.

The researcher analysed the problems in the marketing of coir

fibre by getting opinions from all the 85 middlemen, classified as native

traders, commission agents and market traders numbering 51, 16 and

18 respectively.

A list of workers was obtained from the owners of all the units. It

was realised that a total of 2,355 workers were on the rolls of the units.

The stratified sampling method was adopted and a sample of 470

workers (20 per cent) was taken to measure the level of satisfaction.

The study being an empirical one, the performance of the

industry was critically analysed by using both primary and secondary

data. The study is divided into five major parts. The first part deals with

the importance of small scale and rural industries in India, and the coir
 ~ 178 ~

industry and its economic importance and the uses of coir and coir

products. The second part deals with the survey of studies related to

the coir industry, its performance and projects and the gaps in

research. Cost and return structure, resource-use efficiency and

problems in production have been discussed in the third part. The

fourth part presents the market structure, marketing efficiency, price-

spread, price trend of coir fibre, and problems in marketing. The next

part discusses the human resource management practices followed in

coir units along with a statistical analysis of the influences of the socio-

economic factors on the workers satisfaction level.

In the present chapter, the findings enshrined in the preceding

chapters of the study are summarized and presented. Based on the

findings of the study the researcher also offers some suggestions.

FINDINGS

The following are the major findings of the study:

The analysis of the cost and return structure of coir fibre manufacture

reveals the following facts:

The input-output structure showed a significant variation in terms

of the gross revenue of output per 100 bundles of coir fibre

manufactured between the two sizes of units. The gross revenue for

the medium and small units was Rs.25288.10 and Rs.23857.60

 ~ 179 ~

respectively resulting in a difference of Rs.1430.50. Hence, it is

concluded that the medium-size units had higher revenue than the

small units. Among the five variable inputs, significant differences

between the two groups of units were found in four inputs, namely

labour, material, power and machine running. The only input

variable, the unretting cost , was found to be not significant in both

the groups of units.

It is found that of the total cost of manufacture of coir fibre per 100

bundles, the share of the variable and fixed costs for all units was

87.91 per cent and 12.09 per cent respectively. It is further

ascertained that in respect of the size of the units, the share of the

variable and fixed costs was 88.50 per cent and 11.50 per cent for

the small units and 86.07 per cent and 13.93 per cent for the

medium units respectively. Hence, it is concluded that the small-

size units incurred less total cost of production compared to the

medium-size units.

It is found that of the total variable cost per 100 bundles of coir fibre

in the small units, the share of labour cost (33.86 per cent) was the

highest followed by raw material (15.81 per cent), interest on

working capital (11.22 per cent), power (10.38 per cent), machine

running (8 per cent), pith disposal cost (6.15 per cent) and unretting

(3.07 per cent). Of the total fixed cost, the share depreciation (4.91
 ~ 180 ~

per cent) was the highest followed by the interest on borrowings

(3.83 per cent). For the medium-size units, the share of labour cost

was also the highest (33.05 per cent) followed by raw material (13.43

per cent), power (10.04 per cent), pith disposal cost (8.68 per cent),

machine running (7.28 per cent), interest on working capital (7.07

per cent) and unretting (6.52 per cent) in the total variable cost. Of

the total fixed cost, the share of depreciation was the highest

followed by Office and Administrative cost. Therefore, it is concluded

that any effort towards the efficient use of labour and material in

both small and medium units would result in the reduction of the

cost of production.

It is found from the analysis of the total cost of production that the

medium-size units had a total cost of Rs.38,242.32 and the small-

size units had Rs.33,655.46 per 100 bundles of manufacture of coir

fibre. Therefore, it is concluded that the total cost for the medium-

size units was more by Rs.4,586.86 compared to the small-size units

which indicated the higher efficiency of the small-size units

compared with the medium-size units in the study area.

It is found that the gross revenues realized per 100 bundles of coir

fibre were Rs.42,284.65 and Rs.44,781.01 for the small and medium

size units respectively. It is also found that the net profits after

deducting marketing cost, variable and fixed cost worked out to

 ~ 181 ~

Rs.4,320.74 and Rs.2,376.37 for the small and medium-size units

respectively. It is further ascertained that the small-size units

showed a higher net return Rs.8,193.70 compared to the medium

size units which had Rs.7,701.80 only.

It is apparent from the analysis of the cost-benefit ratio that each

rupee spent by the small and medium sized units led to a benefit of

Rs.0.10 and Rs.0.22 for these units respectively. It is further noticed

that the more gross revenue earned by the medium-size units puts

them in a better economic and institutional position than the small

size units.

The nature of Resource-use efficiency, Technical efficiency and

economic efficiency discloses the following:

The result of the regression model fitted to the different categories of

units as well as the pooled category significantly explains that the

significant variables such as labour, material, power and machine

running influenced the gross revenue from coir fibre. Labour had a

greater influence on the gross revenue from coir fibre. Further, the

results indicated that every additional increase in the percentage of

these variables would result in increased gross revenue by the same

per cent. The regression model fitted was highly significant at the

one per cent level for the small and medium sized units as well as

the pooled category.

 ~ 182 ~

The researcher found from the

structural difference between the small and medium-size units only

at the slope level and not at the intercept level. At the slope level, the

resource input causing the difference was only machine running .

The results indicated that a one per cent increase in the variable

machine running could increase the gross revenue of the small

units by 0.1294 per cent and that of the medium units by 0.3687

per cent. Further, the analysis showed that the co-efficient of the

dummy variable was statistically insignificant at the intercept level.

This indicated that there was no difference with regard to technical

change in both the groups of units in the study area.

It is found from the analysis of the production function that the

sums of the regression co-efficient for the gross revenue of coir fibre

for the small, medium and pooled categories of units were 1.4674,

1.0936 and 1.2894 which indicated increasing returns to scale.

Hence, it could be concluded that the coir industry in the study area

operates in an efficient manner.

The analysis of marginal-value productivity disclosed that the ratios

of the marginal value products to the factor cost with respect to

labour, material, power and machine operating for the small,

medium and pooled categories of units were more than unity. It

indicated that there was scope for increasing the use of such
 ~ 183 ~

resource-inputs to maximize returns in both the groups of coir units

in the study area.

has been used to rank the production

problems like, Inadequate finance, Inadequate supply of green husks,

Shortage of workers, Traditional method of fibre production, Erratic

power supply, Heavy Machine maintenance expenses and Problems of

drying fibre during rainy seasons faced by small and medium coir

units.

These production problems are ranked as shown below by the small

scale units:

Inadequate finance ranked - First

Shortage of workers - Second

Inadequate supply of green husks - Third

Heavy Machine maintenance expenses - Fourth

Traditional methods of Fibre Production - Fifth

Erratic power supply - Sixth

Problems of drying fibre during rainy seasons - Seventh

The production problems faced by medium coir units are ranked as

follows:

Shortage of workers - First

Inadequate supply of green husks - Second

Heavy Machine maintenance expenses - Third

 ~ 184 ~

Inadequate finance - Fourth

Traditional method of fibre production - Fifth

Erratic power supply - Sixth

Problems of drying fibre during rainy seasons - Seventh

A study of the Marketing Structure and channels of Distribution,

Marketing Cost, Marketing Margin and Price Spread, Marketing

Efficiency, Price Analysis, and Marketing Problems faced by the owners

of the coir units in Pudukkottai generated the following findings:

It is found that 51 units (60.18 per cent) sell their coir fibre to native

traders who make advance payments to the entrepreneurs. 16 units

(18.65 per cent) and 18 units (21.17 per cent) sell their coir fibre in

the Alleppey market through commission agents and market traders

respectively, as it fetches a considerable margin to them. On the

whole, it is clear that the owners of the small units did not prefer

market traders and commission agents.

The analysis of the marketing cost incurred by the manufacturers

per hundred kilogram of coir fibre disclosed that the average

marketing cost incurred was Rs.154.87 in channel II (Through

Commission Agents) and Rs.139.51 in channel III (Through Market

Traders). Of the total marketing costs incurred irrespective of the

channels, transport cost claimed a higher percentage with an overall

percentage of 47.66 followed by rejection loss with 22.11 per cent

 ~ 185 ~

and loading and unloading with 10.97 per cent. Further, the

analysis showed that marketing channel III was found to be cheaper

because it involved no commission charges.

The analysis disclosed that the marketing cost incurred by the

native traders was Rs.87.32 per 100 kg of coir fibre. Of the different

marketing costs incurred by them, transport cost including loading

and unloading, packing, commission and rejection loss together

accounted for 80 per cent of total marketing cost.

The analysis showed that the total marketing cost incurred by

market traders was Rs.92.03 per 100 kg of fibre which was higher

than that of the native traders. It was due to the cost of cleaning,

polishing, drying and bundling of fibre incurred by them in the

terminal market in order to realize a better price constituted 39.03

per cent of their total marketing cost.

It is found from the price-spread analysis that the net price received

by the owners of the units in the study area (55 per cent), while

marketing was the maximum in channel II (Commission Agents) and

minimum in channel III (Market Traders) despite the options of

(Native Traders) and channel III (Market Traders) was about 50 per

cent and 41 per cent respectively of the price paid by the industrial

users.
 ~ 186 ~

The analysis of marketing efficiency using the Shepherd Method as

well as the Composite Index Method disclosed that channel III was

more efficient than channel I and channel II. This may be due to the

lower marketing cost on account of the least participation of

also

confirmed this.

In the analysis of time-series, the secular trend analysis of the

prices showed an increasing trend in the prices of coir fibre in the

Alleppey market. The annual average price of coir fibre per 100 kg

increased at the rate of Rs.56.16 per year and the price movement

was positive. The co-efficient of determinant (R2) was 0.92 which

indicated that 92 per cent of the variation in the prices of fibre was

explained by the dependent variables. The result of the cyclical

variation analysis indicated that there was no regular cycle

observable in the price of fibre. It reached the maximum in 1998-99

and then it declined until 2003-2004 and again started increasing

steadily and reached the peak level in 2011-12.

It is found from the analysis of indices of irregular variation that the

indices of prices of coir fibre varied from 0.98 to 1.44. The co-

efficient of the irregular variation was 11.71 per cent which

confirmed price variation from 2004 - 05 to 2007 - 08 continuously

and again from 2009-10 to 2011-12 due to irregular factors.

 ~ 187 ~

Analysis of seasonal variations showed that the lowest price index

prevailed from December to March and the highest price index

prevailed from October to November followed by April and May.

has been used to rank the problems faced

by the manufacturers in the marketing of fibre like heavy commission,

heavy transport cost, Lack of government support, Lack of Finance,

Lack of Storage facilities, Inadequate Market Information and Absence

of direct contact with industrial users as given below:

Heavy Transport Cost - First

Lack of Government Support - Second

Inadequate Market Information Third

Heavy Commission - Fourth

Lack of Finance - Fifth

Lack of Storage facilities - Sixth

Absence of Direct Contact with industrial Users Seventh

The study of the Human resource practices prevalent in the industry

such as presence or absence of a human resource management

department, presence of policies and plans for recruitment and

selection, training, motivation, provision of working conditions and

welfare measures etc. led to the following findings:

 ~ 188 ~

It is found from the analysis that 56 per cent of the coir units do not

have a separate human resource department, 52 per cent of the

units have no formal human resource policies.

It is observed that regarding recruitment of workers, 92 per cent of

the units recruited through existing workers and 96 percentage of

units through their supervisors. It is further noticed that, other

sources are minimally used and the direct application method is the

least in use.

It is further observed that 76 per cent of the units provided on-the-

Job Training to their workers and 80 per cent of the workers were

financially motivated.

It is also evident from the analysis that with respect to the working

conditions prevailing, all the units in the study area provide masks

and drinking water facilities to their workers. 88 per cent, 72 per

cent, 60 per cent, 52 per cent and 32 per cent units provide fire

protection guards, uniforms, lavatory facilities, provide for disposal

of effluents and rest room facilities respectively. Further, the

analysis showed 88.50 per cent of the small units and 87.50 per

cent of the medium units provide fire protection guards. 59 per cent

of the small units and all the medium units provide uniforms to

their workers.
 ~ 189 ~

It is apparent that the welfare facilities such as first aid, insurance

coverage and transport facilities were invariably provided by all the

units of the study area. 88.50 per cent of the small units and 87.50

per cent of the medium units provide refreshments. Compensation

was provided by 57 per cent and 75 per cent of the small and

medium size units respectively. Facilities like crèche and maternity

leave are totally absent in small units, whereas these facilities are

considerably found in the medium size units. In medium size units,

only one unit offers canteen facility to its workers but it is not

provided to small-size units. Only 3 small units provide vehicle

sheds, whereas in the case of medium size units it is provided by all

the units.

An analysis of the Percentage-wise level of satisfaction of workers of the

coir units in the study area reveals the following:

It is found that 206 (43.88 162

remaining 102 workers (21.62

working conditions in the coir units.

With regard to gender, among the highly satisfied group of workers,

27.45 per cent (28) belong to the male category, 72.55 per cent (74)

to the female category. In the poorly satisfied group, 80.10 per cent
 ~ 190 ~

(165) are females and 19.90 per cent (41) are males. 42 (25.93%)

male respondents and 120 (74.07 %) female respondents are

satisfied at a medium level.

It is found that 35.80 per cent (36) workers in the age group of 20

to 35 ; 33.95 per cent (35) in the age group of above 50 years and

30.25 per cent (31) between 35 and 50 62

(38.33 per cent), 52 (32.22 per cent) and 48 (29.45 per cent) of the

workers in the age group of 20 to 35 , 35 to 50 and above 50

respectively were moderately satisfied. Among the poorly satisfied

group of workers, 37.60 per cent (77) were in the age group of 20 to

35 ; 32.17 percent (66) of the workers were between 35 and 50 and

30.23 per cent (63) workers were above 50 years .

Among the highly satisfied group of workers, 41.01 per cent (42) are

educated up to 10th standard, 34.53 per cent (35) have had no

formal education and 24.46 per cent (25) are educated up to higher

secondary. It is also observed that among the poorly satisfied group

of workers, 83 (40.53 %) are educated up to higher secondary, 69

(33.33 %) up to 10th standard and 54 workers (26.14 %) have no

formal education. Further, it is revealed that 61 (37.56 per cent), 55

(34.01 per cent) and 46 (28.43 per cent) respondents, whose

educational level is up to 10th standard , higher secondary level

 ~ 191 ~

and no formal education are moderately satisfied with the working

conditions of the units respectively.

It is realised that in the sample 65.59 per cent (67) of the workers

belonging to scheduled castes, 34.31 per cent (35) belonging to the

non-scheduled castes were highly satisfied and among the poorly

satisfied group of workers, 54.37 per cent (112) belonged to the non-

scheduled castes and 45.63 per cent (94) to the scheduled castes.

52.47 per cent (85) and 47.53 per cent (77) respondents belonging to

scheduled castes and non-scheduled castes respectively were

moderately satisfied.

Considering marital status, 52.94 per cent belonging to the married

category (54), 47.06 per cent belonging to the unmarried category

(48) are highly satisfied . Among the moderately satisfied ones, 93

(57.41 per cent) and 69 (42.59 per cent) respondents belong to

married and unmarried groups respectively. 125 workers (60.68 per

cent) belonging to the married category, 81 workers (39.26 per cent)

belonging to the unmarried category are poorly satisfied .

It is ascertained that 58.82 per cent (60) respondents belonging to

the work status agriculture and 41.18 per cent (42) respondents

belonging to the work status industry were highly satisfied. 56.79

per cent (92) respondents belonging to work status agriculture

and 43.21 per cent (70) respondents belonging to work status

 ~ 192 ~

industry were moderately satisfied. 106 (51.46 per cent) and 100

(48.54 per cent) respondents belonging to industry and agriculture

statuses respectively were poorly satisfied.

It is found that 42.16 per cent of the respondents (43) who had

experience of above 5 years, 34.31 per cent of the respondents (35)

with experience from 3 to 5 years, and 23.53 per cent (24) who had

experience of below 3 years were highly satisfied whereas 48.54 per

cent of the workers (100) who had less than 3 years of experience,

31.07 per cent of the workers (64) who had experience from 3 to 5

years, and 20.39 per cent of the workers (42) who had more than 5

years of experience were poorly satisfied . 47 (29.01 per cent), 72

(44.44 per cent) and 43 (26.55 per cent) workers, belonging to the

respectively were moderately satisfied .

The Chi-Square (x2) Test showed a significant association between

personal and demographic variables gender, age, educational

qualification, community, basic work status and experience and the

respondents satisfaction levels with the working conditions of the coir

units in the study area.

There exists a statistically significant positive association between

gender and satisfaction at five per cent level (83.742 > 5.99)
 ~ 193 ~

With regard to age and satisfaction, there exists a statistically

positive association at five per cent level (23.296 > 9.49)

Pertaining to educational qualification and satisfaction, there exists

a statistically positive association at five per cent level (70.191 >

9.49)

There is a statistically significant positive association between

community and satisfaction at five per cent level (14.271 > 5.99)

With regard to basic work status and satisfaction, there exists a

statistically positive association at five per cent level (10.181 > 5.99)

Pertaining to experience and satisfaction, there exists a statistically

positive association at five per cent level (80.699 > 9.49)

Statistically there is no significant positive association between

marital status and satisfaction at five per cent level (1.096 < 5.99)

has been used to rank the human-

resource problems like Absenteeism, Scarcity of workers during peak

agricultural seasons, Mobility of workers from unit to unit, Lack of

industrial work culture, Hesitation to undergo training, Absence of

workers union and frequent advances sought. The ranking is as

follows:

Scarcity of workers during peak agricultural seasons - First

 ~ 194 ~

Lack of industrial work culture - Second

Absence to work - Third

Absence of workers - Fourth

Hesitation to undergo training - Fifth

Workers turnover - Sixth

Frequent advances sought Seventh

SUGGESTIONS

The researcher offers the following suggestions for the

sustenance and improved performance of the coir industry:

1. Since coir fibre is the chief raw material for the production of coir

and coir products, the state government as well as the Coir Board

should encourage the entrepreneurs to go for the manufacture of

value-added coir products.

2. The high cost of production of fibre may be greatly reduced if

technological upgradation is favoured in areas such as dehusking

and quality of fibre. Low cost machines of reasonable productivity

have to be introduced to replace the process of dehusking done

manually now. To improve the quality of the fibre and its length, a

bio-technological study should be undertaken by the Research

Institute of the Coir Board by taking up genetic studies of coconut

palms. Though it seems a time consuming and expensive study, it

 ~ 195 ~

would be beneficial for the long term survival and growth of the

industry. Cost reduction through modernization and professionalism

is the need of the hour.

3. In order to make them fully informed on the current trends in the

industry and to provide them a platform to discuss the day-to-day

problems confronting their coir units, the entrepreneurs of the study

and non-governmental organizations have a role to play in this

regard.

4. As the study area has abundant raw material husk supply at low

prices- the large units make bulk purchases and stock them in their

units thereby ensuring continuous production of fibre. The small

units, due to inadequate storing facility, could not reap the benefits

enjoyed by the large units. It is suggested that to lessen the burden

of stocking the procured raw material, the small units may be

allowed to use the market yards of the regulated markets spread

over acres of land which are lying unutilized. This service may be

provided charging a reasonable storage fee.

5. The survival of the industry amidst other factors mainly depends on

the steady availability of skilled artisans and workers. Moreover, the

workers of the study area lack industrial work culture and cause
 ~ 196 ~

numerous labour problems to the units. Therefore, in this context,

it is suggested that training programmes should be organized at

frequent intervals for the workers by the Coir Board with the co-

ordination of the Small Scale Industries Board at the block level of

the District with the twin objectives of imparting coir making skills

on the one side and creating a huge chunk of trained teenagers who

are devoted to the art of coir related work.

6. The months of January-April being the peak season for coir fibre,

commercial banks and other financial institutions should conduct

the period.

7. To overcome the problem of the disposal of coir pith which causes

environmental hazards and occupies huge space in the vicinity of

the coir units, the government lands (poramboke) located at far off

places may be leased to the entrepreneurs of the coir units for the

dumping of such coir dust.

8. As the value addition to coir pith has a growing international

market, it is suggested that a Coir Pith Research Institute as

demanded by the Coir Pith Allied Products Manufacturers and

Exporters Association may be set up by the Coir Board. Efforts may

 ~ 197 ~

be initiated in this regard to establish such an Institute in the study

area.

9. For eliminating the mafia-mentality of middlemen in the channel of

marketing, the Coir Board should open offices of the Coir Marketing

Federation (COIRFED) to relieve the entrepreneurs from the burden

of marketing coir fibre.

10. It is suggested that to popularize the unique properties of coir

fibre and products, the Coir Board should open showrooms and

conduct road shows besides organizing seminars, symposia and

workshops in the study area. The entrepreneurs of the study area

with the support of government assistance should also be

encouraged to participate in the big exhibitions held at the national

and international levels.

11. The Coir Board should take earnest steps to open its office in the

District Head Quarters, Pudukkottai, in order to make the

entrepreneurs fully informed of coir schemes and programmes from

time to time.

12. The investment subsidy extended by the Coir Board as well as

the state government through the District Industries Centre should

be linked with the output of the coir units.

 ~ 198 ~

13. ment

Centre to attend exclusively to coir-related issues.

14. Self-help groups which have a strong presence in the study area

may be motivated and helped to undertake the manufacturing of

traditional coir products like mats, mattresses, coir ropes, carpets

and innovative coir products like coir composites, coco-lawn, coir

bricks and coir geo-textiles.

15.

Transfer, Modernisation and Capacit

Sector with funding from the UNDP. Under the project, the Board

covers six coir clusters in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka

and Kerala. Based on the experience, a replicable strategy for all-

round development of the industry could be formulated and

extended to individual coir units.

16. Workers, especially women, work under unhygienic working

conditions. The small units are unable to provide even some basic

amenities like the provision of drinking water, latrines, health

centres and rest rooms to their workers because of financial crunch.

Therefore, the panchayats or municipalities concerned could help

the entrepreneurs with advances for creating such facilities.

 ~ 199 ~

CONCLUSION

The coir industry was chosen for study because of its social and

economic importance in the area. The industry employs a large number

in which majority of them are women. It employs more

than six lakh people directly and indirectly and earns foreign exchange

to the tune of Rs.300 crores per annum. Coir and coir products make

good progress in the domestic as well as in the international market

because of their unique qualities of durability, bio-degradability and

eco-friendliness. At present, the industry gets a phenomenal share of

89 per cent of the global market for value-added coir products.

After the heady days right from the time the first factory was

established in the second half of the nineteenth century to the middle

of the twentieth century, the industry has gone through some

upheavals. Now the Indian industry is on the comeback trail and it

keeps pace with the changing technology and imbibes the latest

developments in production techniques and designs.

In the present scenario of the industry, the present research has

attempted to throw light on certain specific areas of the working of the

coir units located in Pudukkottai District of Tamil Nadu. The findings of

the present study are not exclusive in nature, but are common to a

majority of the units in India. Several new factories have come up,
 ~ 200 ~

especially in the private sector. The small and medium manufacturers

are also rising to the occasion. The study highlights the problems

confronting the industry of the study area. They are not amenable to

any quick-fix solutions. But improving value addition and access to

technology and information would solve most of the operational

problems. The industry has every scope to make an indelible mark in

the industrial map of Tamil Nadu and could finally contribute to the

development of the country. Therefore, a right step forward in this

regard by the parties concerned lies in the consideration of suggestions

offered in the study both in letter and spirit.

Realizing its growth potentional, the Government of India also

provides annual funds for the development of coir industry through

various plans and programmes with special stress on rural employment

generation and modernization. The Coir Board also during its Golden

Jubilee Year (2003), formulated a theme

Development Mission, a vision for the future, is an ambitious vision. I

am sure that there will be a visible impact on the coir industry which I

hope could be seen in the next five years. The Board schemes will be

revamped on the basis of this vision and this will be a milestone in the
 ~ 201 ~

SCOPE FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

The researcher identifies and suggests the following unexplored

and virgin areas relevant to the present study in which future research

could be undertaken.

1. A study on value-added Coir Products

2. An analytical study on Coir Clusters

3. Prospects for Self-Help Groups in the Coir Industry

4. Prospects and Problems of the brown-fibre sector

5. A study of the Pollachi Model in Tamil Nadu with special

reference to technical upgradation

6. Coir Industry and the WTO