Banana Fibre Crafts by Women

Banana Plants can be harvested only once in their lifetime.  The rest of the plant becomes agricultural waste and ends up in landfill.  The highlight of banana fibre is that it can be used to make useful household items and handicrafts.  Banana fibre is very strong, completely biodegradable and also resistant to water and fire.

Here in Cochin city, Vimala Welfare Centre, a Social Service Society established by Sisters of Vimalalayam, situated in Kacheripady is running a manufacturing unit where products are made of banana fibre and sold.  The Fibre unit has a collection of bags of varied sizes, shapes and colours.  Experienced women artisans transform the banana fibre into objects of beauty and utility.  Jewellery boxes, pencil boxes, bags, baskets, table mats, door mats, runners, coasters, file-folders, flower-vases, pen holders and much more are readily available.  The products made at Vimalalayam have found favour with people across the globe.

The primary motive of the Society has always been to support and uplift the lives of marginalized women who were economically backward and to make themselves self-dependent.  Vimala Welfare Centre established for a social cause also brings a positive impact on our environment by reducing the waste from banana plant stems and transforms them into useful products.

Banana fibre is also used in textile industry.  In Tamil Nadu, beautiful saris made out of banana fibre are trending.