Launch of global network set to stimulate demand for natural fibres

The Commonwealth Secretariat is supporting the growing use of natural fibres amongst small communities by facilitating the development of a global network for artisans.

The launch is expected to take place before 2009, which the United Nations General Assembly have declared the International Year of Natural Fibres, in order to raise awareness and stimulate demand for the products.

“Natural Fibres are gaining significance as they contribute to the income and food security of poor farmers and processors in our member countries,” said José Maurel, Director of Special Advisory Services at the Secretariat, at the Commonwealth’s headquarters in Marlborough House, London, on 29 July.

“I think there is room for Commonwealth countries to increase production of natural fibres,” observed Mr Maurel, adding that “they are becoming increasingly popular now as people are looking for environmentally friendly products. From our end we are trying to facilitate the introduction of this network within the Commonwealth”

“This whole trend of ‘going green’ can only have a positive effect on the demand for natural fibres.”

The Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that 30 million tonnes of natural fibres are produced annually, generating about US$30 billion a year in trade, with cotton and wool as the main products. Mr Maurel told those present that less than 10 per cent of those natural fibres are produced by Commonwealth countries.

Neelam Chibber, Founding Trustee, IndusTree Crafts Foundation, made a presentation at Marlborough House to show how the production of mats, bags and furniture from natural fibres have transformed the lives of people in small Indian villages.

Ms Chibber reported that the participating women tripled their income and were able to improve their products.

Ms Chibber said: “We feel that our learning is easily replicable and other groups need not go through the agony of what we’ve been through. We can share our knowledge to other Commonwealth countries through this network.”

“There should be a global body which is not looking at natural fibre just as a commodity. It should improve the life of the farmer, and also the lives of the local artisans who live around it.”

It is envisioned that a network using information and communications technology will enable easy information transfer, facilitate wholesale trading and provide a lobbying base for natural fibres and environmentally friendly industries.

The range of natural fibres includes a variety of grasses (river, palm), leaves (screwpine) barks (banana, coir) and creepers (water hyacinth). Ms Chibber said that because most Commonwealth countries grow these crops, the opportunity exists for them to produce value added products through natural fibre businesses.

With the help of the Coir Board of India, one of the sponsors of the Commonwealth-India programme for micro, small and medium scale enterprises, Papua New Guinea and Swaziland are trying to develop their natural fibres industry, and the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be assisted to make crafts from banana leaf.

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