Coir Board officials with Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi . Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui
By A CorrespondentÂ
Patna: Acting on the directions of Union Minister and MP Jitan Ram Manjhi, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, a three-member team from the Coir Board headquarters in Kochi conducted an extensive survey in Bihar to explore the potential for promoting coir-based industries.
The initiative followed a detailed written representation submitted by Narendra Kumar, a distinguished member of the State-Level DISHA Committee. In response, the Chairman of the Coir Board deputed a team led by Director Shanmugasundaram, along with Development Officer Suresh Kumar M. and Accounts Officer Prasad Kumar.
Between April 19 and April 22, 2026, the delegation carried out field visits in Gaya district, including Bodh Gaya, as well as Patna and surrounding villages. The team assessed opportunities for manufacturing coir-based products, organic fertilisers, and related goods. Meetings were also held with various stakeholders, particularly members of the Musahar community, to evaluate employment prospects and prepare a comprehensive ground report.
Following the survey, the team met the Union Minister and held detailed discussions. Based on these deliberations, it was decided that training programmes would be launched immediately from the training centre at Gehlot in Gaya district, associated with the legacy of Mountain Man Dashrath Manjhi. This will be followed by the rollout of employment and livelihood schemes.
In the initial phase, a detailed action plan covering five districts in Bihar will be implemented, focusing on training and production activities.
During the visit, awareness and training sessions were also conducted at Bedaur and Gehlot in Bodh Gaya, and later at the Nari Gunjan training centre in Digha, Patna.
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