PALAKKAD: The District Industries Centre (DIC) and the manufacturers of agricultural implements and construction hand tools of Shoranur have joined together to face the challenge of globalisation by forming a cluster of 119 manufacturers of this sector.

The agricultural implements industry at Shoranur boasts an inspiring history dating back to the 1930s. They were first developed as tiny, hand forging units rather than organised units.

There was a gradual growth since then and now there are 119 such units with an annual turn over of Rs. 2,237 lakhs employing over 1,500 persons.

Popular in market

The implements made in Shoranur is popular in the agriculture market of the country and outside. The local skill is superior to their counterparts in other places which provides ample scope for these units to upgrade their technology.

By introducing modern production techniques and management systems, products of better quality can be produced and overall productivity enhanced.

However, none of the units at Shoranur have R & D facility and no attempt has been made to modernise.

These units use open die forging method which is suitable mostly for large objects or when the number of parts produced are small. Their product range is limited because of the low-level of technology adopted.

The District Industries Centre in its report on `Diagnostic study of Shoranur agricultural implements and construction hand tools cluster'' said that these units are not interested in investing in closed die forging technology. If the cluster can invest in drop forging hammers, presses and dies it should be able to produce a wide variety of items and expand their product range.''

The present way of procurement of raw material and consumables poses serious problems to the industry. At present these are procured through private traders who dictate the price. The cost escalation is more than 250 per cent.

The District Industries Officer, K. N. Krishna Kumar, said that a consortium for purchase of raw materials and marketing of products including export should be formed. It will help to have a common branding and monitoring or production plan for members. There will be mechanism for quality assurance by each unit.

The cluster will engage technical consultants for technology, product diversification, product development, cost reduction and waste minimisations.

He said that an agreement has been reached between the consortium and the Shoranur Municipality to hand over the Common Facility Service Centre (CFSC) to the consortium.

On the procurement of materials, the consortium members can approach the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), the prime source of raw materials to procure leaf-spring (scrap).

DIC officials said that a raw material bank will come into existence within a period of three months and CFSC would be transferred with a period of one month to the consortium.

It is estimated that around 1.2 crores implements and tools are produced every year in the country.

In Kerala this manufacturing sector is concentrated in Shoranur area of Ottapalam taluk in Palakkad district.

The Shoranur pattern of agricultural implements and cutlery are internationally acclaimed, experts say.

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