Mahila Coir Yojana — 75% Subsidy on Coir Equipment for Women

Mahila Coir Yojana is a scheme by the Coir Board under the Ministry of MSME, Government of India. It empowers women in rural and semi-urban areas by providing subsidised coir spinning equipment and free skill training. The scheme covers 75% of the cost of motorised ratt (an improved spinning wheel for coir fibre) — the equipment costs approximately ₹15,000, of which the government pays around ₹11,250 and the beneficiary pays only ₹3,750. It also includes a 2-month training programme with a monthly stipend of ₹3,000.

The scheme is exclusively for women aged 18 years and above. There is no income criterion and no education qualification required. Women from all castes, communities, and economic backgrounds are eligible. The beneficiary should be willing to undergo the 2-month training programme and engage in coir spinning as a livelihood activity. Preference is given to women from BPL (Below Poverty Line) families, SC/ST communities, and coastal areas where coconut husk is abundantly available.

The centrepiece of the scheme is the motorised ratt — an improved spinning device that converts coir fibre into yarn. The ratt costs approximately ₹15,000, of which the government provides a 75% subsidy (~₹11,250). The beneficiary’s share is only ~₹3,750, which can often be paid in instalments. The motorised ratt significantly increases productivity compared to traditional hand-spinning — a trained operator can produce 8–12 kg of coir yarn per day, earning ₹200–400 daily.

Selected beneficiaries undergo a 2-month skill development training in coir spinning and processing at Coir Board training centres or approved facilities. During training, each woman receives a stipend of ₹3,000 per month (₹6,000 total). The training covers: motorised ratt operation and maintenance, coir fibre preparation, yarn spinning techniques, quality standards, and basic business skills. After training, beneficiaries receive the subsidised motorised ratt and can start earning immediately.

Trained beneficiaries can produce: coir rope, coir yarn, coir geo-textiles, coir pith (growing medium), coir mats, and coir mattresses. Coir products have growing demand in agriculture (geo-textiles for soil erosion control), gardening (coco peat), construction (insulation), and home furnishing. The Coir Board facilitates market linkage through coir cooperative societies, export promotion, and government procurement. Coir geo-textiles are mandated for use in government road and embankment projects, creating steady demand.

The Coir Board links beneficiaries with coir cooperative societies for raw material supply. Coconut husk is the primary raw material, available abundantly in coastal states. Cooperatives procure husks from coconut farmers, process them into fibre, and supply to spinners at regulated prices. This ensures reliable raw material availability at fair prices. In many areas, the cooperative also buys back the finished yarn/products, providing a guaranteed market for the beneficiary’s output.

Apply through any of these channels: Coir Board regional offices (present in all major coconut-producing states), District Industries Centres (DICs), coir cooperative societies, or Coir Board’s showrooms and extension centres. Documents required: Aadhaar card, age proof, passport-size photographs, and a simple application form (available at the centre). No complex documentation is needed. The Coir Board officials guide you through the entire process from application to training to equipment delivery.

Mahila Coir Yojana is primarily available in coconut-producing coastal states: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Kerala has the largest concentration of beneficiaries given its dominant coir industry. However, the scheme is available pan-India wherever coconut husks are available and the Coir Board has operational presence. Contact the nearest Coir Board office to check availability in your area.

A trained woman with a motorised ratt can earn ₹6,000–12,000 per month working from home or a nearby cooperative centre. Income depends on hours worked, type of product (yarn vs. geo-textiles vs. value-added products), and local market rates. Many beneficiaries work part-time, combining coir spinning with household responsibilities. Some successful beneficiaries have scaled up by employing other women, effectively becoming micro-entrepreneurs. The Coir Board also supports beneficiaries in transitioning to higher-value coir products for increased income.

Mahila Coir Yojana beneficiaries can access additional support through: PM Mudra Yojana (loans up to ₹10 lakh for scaling up), PMEGP (for setting up a coir processing unit), Stand Up India (for women entrepreneurs seeking ₹10 lakh–1 crore), CGTMSE (collateral-free loan guarantee), and state-level women empowerment schemes. Register on the Udyam portal for MSME benefits including priority sector lending and government procurement access through GeM portal.