Neera a Coconut Drink awaits Govt Approval

11 May 2013
Thiruvananthapuram

Neera, a coconut water-based non-alcoholic drink, is awaiting the Kerala government’s nod to become a money spinner for coconut farmers in the state.”I am optimistic of a favorable decision from the government. It will help coconut farmers take a turn for the better. The GDP of the state would increase by 17.16 percent if 10 percent of coconut trees in the state are tapped for neera,” T.K.Jose, chairman of the Coconut Development Board.

Kerala has 180 million coconut trees and 93 of the 94 coconut-growing countries in the world make neera. Jose has a plan where coconut farmers can mint money if the state government classifies neera as a health drink.”Coconut farmers earn just Rs.300 each year from one coconut tree by selling coconuts. By producing neera, the farmers can earn Rs.3,600 each year from just one tree,” Jose said.

From one bunch of coconuts, the daily production of neera would range from one litre to 4.5 litres. A coconut tree grows about three bunches of coconuts every year.In Thailand, a 330-ml can of neera is sold for the equivalent of Rs.160 and in Karnataka, one litre is sold for Rs.150.Fifty percent of the earnings will go to the farmer, 25 per cent to the neera technician (the tapper) and the rest towards marketing expenses.

Source– http://india.nydailynews.com/business/e91265c25baf3afe2713e9f26ec2ea91/non-alcoholic-neera-awaits-kerala-government-nod

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