Kottaampuli, Aug 4 (KNN) A Plantain fibre value-addition unit was inaugurated by Collector K. Senthil Raj on Wednesday at Kottaampuli in Tamil Nadu.

The value-addition unit is being setup for making a wide range of products from plantain fibre. The unit is expected to benefit banana growers from 45 villages in this area.

A sum of Rs 18 Lakh have been provided by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Project for setting up the unit.

NABARD along with the Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Project is responsible for training the personnel on extracting fibre from the plantain sheath. The agricultural bank has also given assistance to install the machinery required for this process.

The plantain growers of Koottaampuli under Kumaragiri village panchayat are running the ‘Perunthalaivar Banana Growers’ Company’ for the past several years.

Inaugurating the unit, Raj said the company, by successfully operating this unit, should be a role model for other cultivators, who could go in for value-addition of their farm produce.

“Besides making value-added products like banana chips from banana fibre, cotton can be blended with banana fibre for weaving saris. The cotton-banana fibre-blended saris will be an instant hit among women. Since the district has been blessed with quality cotton being cultivated at Kovilpatti, Kayathar and Vilaathikulam areas and plantain cultivation is being taken in the areas closer to the Tamirabharani watercourse, we can get quality raw materials and do wonders with this new unit,” he added.

The products made by the company will be marketed locally and exported through Thoothukudi-based firms.

Cletus Babu, Assistant General Manager of NABARD Suresh Ramalingam, Joint Director of Agriculture Mohideen and others were present at the inauguration ceremony.  (KNN Bureau)