Kochi: The government will soon issue licenses for 173 societies of the coconut farmers in the state for producing sweet toddy popularly known as neera, excise minister K Babu said Saturday.
Speaking after launching ThiruKochi neera brand produced by the societies of coconut farmers in Ernakulam, Babu said neera based products such as chocolate have good export potential.
The decision to issue license to tap neera for the societies represent the dismantling 112 year old system introduced by the erstwhile British rulers, said TK Jose, Chairman of the Coconut Development Board.
According to Jose the projects submitted by the various companies formed by the producers societies plan to sell 40 per cent of the production as neera and the rest as value-added products.
