Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 23 December 2025
A three-day Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) for coir trainees, organised by the Coir Board, Sub-Regional Office, Sri Vijaya Puram, commenced on Monday at the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Industries.
The programme was inaugurated by Mr. Atul Soni, Director, Directorate of Industries, Sri Vijaya Puram. In his inaugural address, Mr. Soni encouraged the trainees to form Self-Help Groups (SHGs), make effective use of available marketing assistance schemes, and explore collective avenues for sustainable growth and entrepreneurship in the coir sector.
The inaugural function was presided over by Mr. T.V. Sabu, Extension Service Officer, Coir Board, Sri Vijaya Puram, who, in his presidential address, highlighted the role and initiatives of the Coir Board, employment potential in the coir industry, and the growing export opportunities for coir products in international markets. Mr. R. Sunilkumar, Technical Assistant, Coir Board, delivered the welcome address. Felicitations were offered by Ms. Sunitha Kumari, Deputy Director, Directorate of Industries; Mr. Anup Kumar Mandal, Development Officer, AAJVS, Sri Vijaya Puram; and Dr. Manikandan. The vote of thanks was proposed by Ms. Kamaladevi, Trainer.
A total of 80 trainees, who had earlier participated in field training conducted by the Coir Board, Sri Vijaya Puram, are attending the programme. As part of its skill development initiative, the Coir Board has also organised two-day classroom sessions for women from villages who received stipends during their two-month field training. These sessions focus on creating awareness about support available from various government departments and agencies, including the Industries Department, District Industries Centre (DIC), banks, MSMEs, personality development, and marketing strategies.
The third day of the programme will include a field visit to Sree Ayyappa Coir Industries at Beodnabad Road, Calicut Village, where trainees will observe the production of coir fibre and coir yarn using modern machinery. On the occasion, the Director distributed certificates to 40 trainees who successfully completed the Coir Board’s field training programme.
