CFTRI develops technology on shelving Neera: Official

Bangalore, Mar 19 (UNI) Karnataka Government Excise policy had come in the way of commercial exploitation of Neera, a by-product of the coconut palm, for which the Mysore-based Central Food technology Research of India (CFTRI) had developed technology.

Speaking to newspersons here today, Deputy Director Coconut Development Board (CDB) Vijay Kumar Hallikeri said CFTRI had developed a mechanism to prevent fermentation, increase shelf-life and to preserve natural nutrient of Neera. Once the day breaks it becomes toddy, he added.

He said CFTRI had successfully developed a technology, which helps to prevent fomentation and retention of Neera's original quality.

Mr Hallikeri said some Industrial Houses had evinced interest for commercial exploitation of Neera, based on CFTRI technology.

He said there was a perception among the coconut farmers that by tapping Neera, the disease caused by mites, which had devastated coconut palms across the State in the last few years, could be effectively prevented. However, the perception was yet to be scientifically proved, he added.

He said due to mite disease, as much as 25 per cent coconut grown area had been destroyed during the last decade.

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