Banana Fiber Craft

Banana Fiber Craft is one of the important crafts being practiced by women in Kerala. The availability of abundant raw material (planten) is primarily responsible for the flourishing of the craft. Although a wide variety of planten is cultivated throughout the length and breadth of the state, Banana Fiber is extracted from a few varieties like Nathran, Kathali, Rasakathali, etc because of their rich fiber content. Banana Fiber is extracted mainly using simple tools like the knives although machine extracted fiber is also available in the market.

Banana fiber craft is mainly practiced by women in the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Alleppy, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram and Wayanad. In other districts the craft is practiced only on  very limited scale. A wide range of products like Baskets, fiber dolls, table mats, tea  coasters, fiber mats are made from Banana fiber. Floor carpets are also made using handlooms. Nowadays items like Shirts, banians made of Banana Fiber are exported to foreign countries (export zone of Tirupur in Tamilnadu ) . Banana fiber industry has tremendous employment potential as it require very low capital investment. A person with right aptitude can acquire the skills easily by understanding the short term training course in Fiber Crafts. Banana fiber products are also an alternative to plastic products. Since they are eco-friendly it has got high export potential as well.  Banana fiber products made using organic / eco-friendly dyes are in great demand in global market.

Objectives of the Training Scheme

The main objectives of the training scheme is to enable the participants to take up Banana Fiber Craft to raise their income and earn their livelihood as well as raise their standard of living and enjoy a better quality of life.

The specific objectives are as under,

• Identification of various species of plant suitable for Fiber extraction.
• Teaching of Fiber extraction technique.
• Teaching the Fiber Process of knitting, weaving, dyeing, etc.
• Teaching colour mixing and usage of colour combinations.
• Teaching the method of mixing with other type of fibers to make value added products.
• Teaching the production technique of making various Banana Fiber products like Dolls, Baskets, etc.
• Development of new and innovating market oriented EDP to set up community based enterprises.