Patna, June 1: Bihar, with a large number of dwarf and semi-dwarf palm trees, has the potential to replace Tamil Nadu as the numero uno producer of neera (unfermented palm sap) and other related products such as sugar, jaggery and handicraft items, a leading palmyra palm expert said today.

V. Ponnuswami of the horticulture department of Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU) has been roped in by the Bihar government to kick-start the neera-based industry in the state that has the potential to provide alternative employment to the community of toddy-tappers.

Ponnuswami's belief stems from the difference in the height of palm trees in Tamil Nadu and Bihar. The ones in Tamil Nadu are very tall, attaining heights of between 50 and 60 feet, while in Bihar a majority of them range between 20 and 40 feet.

"The dwarf and semi-dwarf trees in Bihar make climbing them and tapping neera from their flowers easier in comparison to tall trees in Tamil Nadu, where people are leaving this traditional business due to the hard labour involved in climbing," Ponnuswami, who is in Patna, told The Telegraph.

"Besides, a large number of people from the community involved in tapping palm trees in Tamil Nadu have moved out of the business due to social reforms. All these give Bihar a clear edge to become the top producer of neera and other palm products," the scientist added.

As per Tamil Nadu government estimates, there were over 10 lakh palm trees in the state, mostly concentrated around Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Coimbatore, Thoothukudi, Dindigul, Tirunelveli and other southern districts, till a couple of decades ago.

There was no systematic survey of trees, but Tamil Nadu emerged as the number one producer of neera, sugar and jaggery made from it and handicrafts made from palm trees due to efforts of agricultural scientists and the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) - providing large-scale employment to the community depending on palm trees for livelihood.

"In Tamil Nadu, neera and other palm products are part of the cottage industry. KVIC drives it. Neera is packed in sachets and sold. Sugar, jaggery and handicraft goods are marketed. They are exported as well," Ponnuswami added.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has already expressed his determination to develop industries based on palm trees to ensure better employment opportunities for toddy-tappers and their families. His assurance came after protests by toddy-tappers alleging atrocities by the police and excise department officials in the aftermath of total prohibition imposed in Bihar on April 5.

Nitish has already approved plans for an MoU between TNAU and Bihar Agriculture University (BAU) to develop various products such as sugar, jaggery, soft drinks, honey, candy and ensure their marketing. He has also directed the agriculture department to conduct a census of palm trees in the state.

Ponnuswami and his team member T. Prabhu, an assistant professor at TNAU and scheme officer in All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on palms initiated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), visited Nalanda, Nawada and Gaya to examine the palm trees. They found the area suitable, got neera tapped from trees and even got it served at the Udyami Panchayat (entrepreneurs' meeting) chaired by the chief minister yesterday.

"Palm-based industries would be very suitable and viable for a poor state like Bihar. Palm is the poor man's tree. It grows on wasteland, requires no extra effort, care or fertiliser. Bihar has an abundance of high potential trees. A single tree here can provide an average six to eight litres of neera daily during the four-month season from February-March and May-June and could fetch an income of Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000," the scientist said.

The TNAU scientists pointed out that while toddy (fermented palm sap) sells for Rs 20-25 per litre in Bihar, neera costs Rs 50-60 per litre in Tamil Nadu. During the off-season, they added, people depending on palm trees could engage themselves in handicraft making.

However, they pointed out that neera and palm-based industries could be successful only if the government supports it through policies, technology, microfinancing, use of cooperatives and self-help groups, and arranging for markets for the products.