Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy said the production of neera (a soft beverage made out of toddy) under the brand name 'Keramritam' would be expanded to other parts of Kerala, ensuring more financial gain to the coconut farmers.
Inaugurating the first neera production plant of the proposed three at Padannakkad Agriculture College in Kasaragod district, he said the other two plants would come at Vellanikara in Thrissur district and Vellayani in Thiruvananthapuram district. The Padannakkad plant has the capacity to process 100 litre neera in an hour. One can earn Rs 900 to 1,500 from a single coconut tree and it is profitable even after spending Rs 500 towards labour expense, he said.
The chief minister also said with the technology for producing neera in place, the state would look forward to produce it on an industrial basis. A litre of neera has been priced at Rs 30. Attempt would be made to make it available for Rs 25. The market for Neera was not an issue, since the demand was very high. And by exporting it to foreign markets, it would benefit farmers, he added.
Chandy also inaugurated a post-graduate block, centenary memorial farm office and a ladies' hostel annex at the college.
