Kerala govt to promote non-alcoholic drink from coconut trees

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a fillip to the sagging coconut farming sector in Kerala, the government has decided to promote production and sale of "Neera", a non-alcoholic drink extracted from coconut trees.

Speaking to reporters after receiving the report of an expert committee that studied the potential of "Neera", Excise Minister K Babu said government would take positive steps to promote Neera without affecting the traditional toddy sector.

Neera, also called sweet toddy, could be a major value added product and would boost the sagging coconut sector, he pointed out.

Neera turns into toddy four hours after fermentation after being taken from coconut trees.

"Our only concern is that the present toddy industry and the employees in the sector should have no problems if Neera production is taken up," Babu said.

The minister said rules in the Abkari Act would be amended if necessary for promoting Neera.

There are about 30,000 toddy tappers in Kerala.

Excise Commissioner Anil Xavier, who chaired the committee, said the rules have to be amended and the Abkari Act revamped to promote Neera.

"With the ASEAN agreement all set to be in force from April 1 next year, products like Neera will come into our market from neighbouring countries', he said, adding it was hence better that such products were promoted.