After two decades of their fight, the coconut farmers in Karnataka can now legally tap neera, the sweet sap from the coconut tree. In view of the sharp fall in the prices of coconut, the State Government has amended the Karnataka Excise Act 1965 and coconut farmers are permitted to produce non-fermented toddy or palm nectar (neera) in the State.
State law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister TB Jayachandra said permission for tapping neera was a long pending demand of the coconut farmers and the Government is set to fulfill it. A Bill will soon be introduced in the State legislature to amend the Excise Act to remove coconut palm brew out of the Act’s purview.
Tapping of neera and production of neera-based products will also provide additional revenue for coconut farmers, the Minister added. Farmers believe tapping of neera, strengthens the immune system of coconut trees against termite attacks.
The State Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently decided to allow coconut growers to tap neera, which is considered a health drink on account of its high nutritive and medicinal value.
In his 2015-16 Budget Siddaramaiah said amendments would be made to the Excise Act to permit members of Coconut Growers’ Federation to harvest neera in limited quantities.
Claiming that neera is a healthy drink if consumed before fermentation sets in, Jayachandra said neera will be introduced into the market in modern packaging, which increases the shelf-life of the brew. About 10 to 12 Coconut Farmers Associations in the State will be allowed to produce neera. The brew could be used for production of jaggery, sugar, chocolates, cakes and other confectionaries, he added. The neighboring Kerala has a neera policy to encourage production of neera through coconut producers’ society. The Minister said thousands of coconut farmers in the State, severely affected by pest attacks and drought in the recent years, have been demanding that the Government allow tapping of neera.
Freshly tapped neera, if not stored under controlled temperature or consumed within a couple of hours, turns into toddy with about four per cent alcohol on account of fermentation. And the sale of toddy comes within the ambit of the excise laws.
The Government would restrict tapping of neera to some organisations and to some per cent of the trees in the State. The decision would also create job for neera tappers and also help farmers earn additional income.