Present Status of Coir Processing in Bangladesh

Abstract

This article presents the findings of a study on coir processing in 10 selected districts of Bangladesh during the period of June-December, 1994. Information were collected by personal interviewing and physical observations. The coir processing techniques practiced by the farmers were crushing of husks before retting, retting for 2-35 days depending on the nature of crushing and the quality of coir, crushing after retting, separating the fibre from pitch and cork and drying them for a period of 2-3 days. All operations were done manually except in Faridpur where the crushing of husks was done by roller machine and found to be the most economic method. Coir processing is generally practiced by small and marginal farmers. It is a small capital-intensive and profitable business. If low cost crushing and fibre separating machines may be introduced, coir processing may become one of the attractive and profitable cottage industry in Bangladesh.