Mangaluru : Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) Kasaragod in collaboration with North Malabar Chamber Of Commerce (NMCC) Kasaragod organised a workshop on Neera Production Technology at Kasargod on Tuesday.

In his inaugural address, CPCRI Director Dr P Chowdappa emphasised the need for value addition in coconut and popularising relevant technologies for enhancing farmers’ income.

Now, Neera can be preserved upto 45 days in refrigerator without adding any preservatives. With the bottling technology, CPCRI aims at introducing Neera as a natural health drink for commercial purpose.

He said a farmer can earn upto Rs 2,000 per year from a tree by selling coconut. But by tapping and selling Neera one can earn upto Rs 15,000 in six months.

Meanwhile, ‘Kalparasa’, the bottled Neera was launched and handed over to Jeevan T V Executive Editor P J Antony. Susheel Aaron Chairman NMCC presided over the inaugural function.

MoU on Neera technology was signed with the entrepreneurs like Planet Private Limited of Andhra Pradesh and Senthil Seeds Private Limited of Tamilnadu.

Post Harvest Technology Head Dr K B Hebbar made a presentation on production of ‘Kalprasa’ and its value added products.

Dr C Thamban Principal scientist handled the session on Farmer organisations and marketing strategies for Neera. Field demonstration on Neera production technique was conducted as part of the programme.

Exposure visit to agro processing laboratory and the experimental plots of CPCRI was also organised.

The workshop was attended by more than 200 farmers, entrepreneurs, industrialists and other state government officials. NMCC Secretary Shyam, Principal Scientist Dr A C Mathew were present among others.