Coir – Fibre from the kalpakavriksha
The coconut tree is known as the kalpakavriksha-the all providing tree. All the parts ot the tree-trunk, leaves, fruit-can be utilised. The husk of the coconut is used to make coir fibre. This in turn, is processed to make coir products.
In the last decade or so, the export of coir products from Kerala have risen considerably. There are many coir factories and small scale industries lining the coast. Alleppey, Kollam and Ernakulam districts come in the top list of areas producing and exporting them.
The coir fibres are made through an elaborate process; mostly, women are employed to spin the fibre. Cois is used to make all kinds of things-mats, table mats, carpets, curios, chair backs, arm chair accessories, floor quilts, windown blinds, rubberised mats, handicrafts and many more.
People abroad have taken a liking to coir products and, there are a lot of researchers, travellers and coir-users who come to Kerala to learn about making coir products.
