Indian coir industry is an important cottage industry contributing significantly to the economy of the major coconut growing States and Union Territories, i.e., Kerala, Tamil nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Orissa, Assam, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweed, Pondicherry, etc. Modern machines were introduced into the coir industry in the late 1960s. About 5.5 lakh persons get employment in this industry. India exports around Rs.1000 crores of coir & coir products annually. Coconut husk is the basic raw material for coir products.
The coir manufacturing industry producing coir mats, matting and other floor coverings, was started in India on a factory basis, over a hundred years ago when the first factory was set up in Alleppey in 1859 by the Late Mr. James Darragh, an adventurous Irish born American national. Enterprising Indians followed the trail blazed by this foreigner.
