Kochi: After a brief lull, the neera industry is all set to make a comeback with standardisation in technology, processing and packaging. It’s is eyeing the global market, too, as a signature Kerala product. The state government is bringing all the coconut producer companies under one umbrella and produce the beverage using a single technology to ensure that the products have same flavor. It is also setting up a state-of-the-art packaging unit at a cost of Rs 25 crore to help the branding and marketing strategy.
“Kerala Agro Business Company, a special purpose vehicle the government is forming, will take up value-addition for agricultural products,” agricultural minister V.S. Sunil Kumar told DC. “The company will set up a tetra packing machine which costs around Rs 25 crore in one of the two agro parks. This will enable the neera producing companies to go for state-of-the art packaging acceptable in the global market.” Neera needed a professional approach which includes product quality, packaging and branding to become a success, he said. “The government will facilitate its success as a Kerala brand,” he said.
A meeting of the producer companies the minister had called last month had decided to form a new entity to take the process forward. “We are working on the formation of a new company,” said Palakkad Coconut Producer Company chairman P. Vinod Kumar. “This is aimed at achieving standardisation of the product using similar technology. There is a consensus among companies about the need to do away with the usage of anti-fermenting solution and go in for a cold chain. We also need a high temperature pasteurisation machine.”
Meanwhile, the Kaippuzha Coconut Processing Company said it has signed up a deal with a Singapore company for the export of neera. “We have completed the formalities and the first consignment worth Rs 1 crore is expected to leave our shores by December 15,” company chairman K Shajahan said. The company has also received firm commitment from Britain and Germany, he said.
