KOCHI, DEC 10   :   Coir Board Chairman D Kuppuramu on Sunday urged Kerala Government to remove coir sector from the category of polluting industry to protect coconut farmers in the State.

Talking to UNI, the Coir Board Chairman said the coir industry is classified under ‘Red’ category forcing businesspeople to leave Kerala and open their manufacturing units and shops outside the State.

“The classification of coir industry under the Red category colour code will affect production and the interest of farmers. Certain market forces are acting against the interest of farmers and the growth of the traditional coir sector in the country,” he alleged.

“As per the Pollution Control Board norms, industries are classified as Red, Orange, Green and White categories based on their pollution levels. Red category comes under high pollution level and the White falls in no pollution level,” he added.

Calling upon the scientific community to address issues and bring solutions to problems faced by coconut farmers and enterpreneours, he said the traditional coconut sector provides employment to several lakhs of people and gives boost to the country’s agrarian economy.

Pointing out that the collapse of Kerala’s agriculture is alarming, he said the State, facing severe financial crisis and depending on other states for agriculture products, is giving least preference to the revival of agriculture sector.(UNI)