more-in Tamil Nadu Toddy Movement (TNTM) has urged the State Government to secure permission (from the Supreme Court) for conversion of the closed Tasmac outlets on State and National Highways into Neera plants. In doing so, the State Government would not only establish a marketing platform for the coconut farmers tapping neera to gain ready revenue, but also ensure that the employees of the over 3,000 closed outlets do not go jobless, S. Nallasamy. secretary of TNTM said. The State Government’s acceptance for tapping of neera has come after several years of campaign by the TNTM. “The decision is a welcome development, though the scope for large-scale tapping of neera is at present diminished due to the drought conditions. Neera cannot be tapped from drying trees. The palm and coconut trees need to be healthy to derive the sap,” Mr. Nallasamy said, adding that a beginning will be made for neera extraction shortly. During one of its campaign earlier this year, the TNTM explained that neera had enormous nutritive properties, and that the sap that was rich in lauric acid was vital for human body. According to the Government, tapping and marketing of neera will increase the income of over 1.5 lakh coconut farmers across the State. The value added product has been envisaged for marketing through Coconut Development Board (CDB), coconut farmers’ associations, coconut producers federation, and through cooperative societies. The government intends to provide licences to these associations, societies, and federations to produce neera and other by-products, including syrup, honey, jaggery, chocolates, and sugar. According to farmers here, Tamil Nadu has a definite advantage over Kerala in deriving economic benefit from neera. Supporting the farmers’ cause, the CDB prevailed upon the Government to make an amendment to Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act 1937 to exclude ‘neera’ in order that it is taken out of the definition of toddy. The CDB is understandable keen to disseminate among farmers modern technologies for preservation of ‘neera’ up to one year without fermentation.

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