Monday, October 20, 2014

NEERA


 The Kerala government has constituted Coconut-Neera Board to market the value-added products made from coconut, and promote neera as a health drink across the country and abroad.
The industrial base of the sector was limited to production of raw coconut, copra, oil, and toddy, and with the new move, the state is aiming to give a fillip to the sector.
The state is of the view that the project could revive the ailing coconut sector and bring revenue to the state. The board has been constituted in co-ordination with the Agriculture and Excise Department.
Agriculture production commissioner will be the new board chairman. The excise commissioner will be the chief executive officer. The board consists of representatives from the industry like farmers, state government officials and neera training institutes.
Plans are also afoot to market it as an energy drink, rich in sugar, minerals and vitamins, with a low glycemic index. The state hopes to launch the product in the international market as a diabetes-friendly food.

Value added products from neera includes Palm Syrup, produced when fresh neera is heated and concentrated into syrup. In many countries, palm, syrup is used as a health and wellness drink and is prevalently used in Ayurveda and other systems of medicine.