East Godavari Kakinada Coconut Coir Retting SHG Andhra Pradesh

East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh — particularly the coastal taluks of Kakinada and Uppalaguptam — produces coconut coir from the abundant coconut groves of the Godavari delta through traditional retting, beating, and spinning processes conducted by coastal women's SHGs. Coir production in East Godavari uses manual rub-spinning on the thigh — the primary method practised by SHG women — to produce two-ply coir rope sold to fish-trap makers, boat-net riggers, and agricultural supply shops. Retting of coconut husks is conducted in brackish creek water for 6-8 months to loosen fibre bundles before beating and drying. East Godavari Zilla Parishad has supported 200 coir SHGs through the Coir Board's model hank spinning scheme, providing motorised ratts and production targets. Kakinada port's proximity enables bulk export of coir fibre and ropes to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia through Coir Board-registered exporters, and the district has received Coir Board cluster development funding for retting pond construction and ratt mechanisation.