Bhubaneswar: Union Ministry of MSME announced Saturday that it has lined up to set up 15 coir clusters in Odisha under the initiative of Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI). During a program held in city, Minister of State for MSME Pratap Sarangi laid the foundation stone of initial five coir clusters in the state through video conference.
Sarangi said, “These five clusters will be set up in Konark, Puri, Kendrapara, Berhampur and Balesore and each cluster will be set up at an initial cost of Rs 2.5 crore.” Sarangi further stated that central government will contribute Rs 10 crore to develop mentioned five clusters.
It was also said that new training centres will be set up at these five clusters to provide better training to the participants. It was expected that 300 women will be given training here with providing accommodation facility.
According to the officials, there is an incubation centre in Bhubaneswar which is built at the cost Rs 1 core.
Sarangi also suggested the gathering to encourage SHG groups to produce coir products. “Coir products may replace the products produced from clay. Coir products are not only being made with less water but also its environment friendly. In addition, it will be substitute for the plastic materials,” he said.
The minister stressed on revival of existing coir clusters which have been damaged after the cyclone Fani. He said that the ministry has urged the central government to support Fani-affected coir clusters for their revival.
