Abstract
India is the largest producer and exporter of coir and coir-related products on the international market, with Kerala accounting for a significant portion of the nation’s production and exports. Despite its potential and high ambitions, the coir industry in Kerala has not progressed as rapidly as other industries. A primary reason for this lag is the industry’s reluctance to adopt automation in a timely manner. Toward the end of the 20th century, Kerala’s coir sector began to modernize with the introduction of innovative technologies. However, several factors continue to impede the full completion of this modernization process. The implementation of technological advancements has implications for the industry’s disempowered workforce, and the success or failure of these innovations plays a critical role in the sector’s growth and economic impact. This study examines various plans and strategies for the development of coir, evaluating the overall state of technological modernization in the industry. It also addresses the challenges related to automation in modern coir units. Moreover, while both federal and state governments offer a variety of programs to support the coir industry, many manufacturers remain unaware of these initiatives. This report explores the opportunities and challenges facing Kerala’s coir industry.