Kerala Dinesh, the beedi workers’ cooperative, to introduce coconut milk.
In a move towards diversification, Kerala Dinesh, the Kerala government-sponsored beedi workers’ central cooperative society, plans to make a splash in the food business. The cooperative plans to introduce no-preservative-added pure coconut milk.
The innovation is intended to test the domestic market. The introduction of the product is also expected to help coconut farmers in Kerala, the agri-economy of the state, as well as working women looking for easy and quality meals in the kitchen.
C Rajan, chairman, Kerala Dinesh, said: “Dinesh Foods, the food division of Kerala Dinesh, is on an ambitious track. We aim to have a sizeable presence in the domestic food scene. We have lined up a project to make and market coconut milk in the purest form. The best part about the product would be that no preservative will be added to the product.”
The project, a brain-child of Rajan, is finding it tough to launch itself on a higher platform as financial support is inadequate. “With this in mind, we are trying to get the support of the Coconut Development Board (CDB). The association is expected to help us get subsidies in setting up a modern plant to bottle coconut milk,” Rajan said.
“We also look forward to the CDB’s help in promoting the inclusion of pure coconut milk in people’s food habits and menu by way of media campaigns and awareness initiatives. Only then can the use of coconut oil gain acceptance in today’s world,” he added.
According to Rajan, “Dinesh Foods has been forced to bottle the high quality, preservative-free coconut oil in glass containers instead of the more acceptable tetrapacks. This has been a deterrent with regards to popularity. We would not be able to tap the export market if tetrapacks are not used.” It is here that the company now wants the CDB to step in. A modern plant, which would cost at least Rs 2 crore, has become the need of the hour if the Dinesh branded pure coconut milk is to be produced in tetrapacks. Subsidies between 25 per cent and 50 per cent for setting up the plant from the CDB would definitely help, he says, adding that the company has started knocking at the Board’s door for this help.
The company’s Dinesh brand of coconut milk has already found a high-profile customer in hospitality major Leela Group. The Group has has begun purchasing 25 cases of 25 bottles each every month for use at its hotels in Bangalore and Kovalam. Dinesh Foods is also looking at showcasing the coconut milk brand in retail shops across Kerala and possibly outside for a price of around Rs 29 per 200 ml bottle.
The Dinesh Foods factory in Kannur currently employs 35 people engaged in processing and packaging fruit-based products such as juice and jam, tea and pickles, apart from the coconut milk. “Quality is top-priority for the brand. Right from procurement of coconuts directly from farmers in Kerala to bottling and showcasing of the product— as well as ensuring a shelf life of close to a year, the quality standards are adhered to. The dream now is to have a tetrapack plant that would help in boosting the image of the brand,” Rajan said.