Patna, May 26: Investment-parched Bihar is looking at a new industry in neera, the unfermented sap extracted from palm trees.
The government today said a census of palm trees would be conducted in the state to develop neera to offer viable employment opportunities to toddy-tappers. The sale of toddy, the fermented palm tree sap, has come under stress following imposition of prohibition last month.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar today gave directions to the agriculture department in this regard. He also approved the plans for an MoU between Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU) and Bihar Agriculture University (BAU) to develop various products such as sugar, jaggery, soft drinks, honey, candy and other products from neera and ensure its marketing.
The decisions were taken at a closed-door meeting chaired by the chief minister at which TNAU scientists and officials from different state government departments presented a work plan on neera. Industries minister Jai Kumar Singh, chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, former TNAU dean V. Ponnuswamy and several other officials and agriculture scientists were present at the meeting, held at the CM's secretariat.
"The chief minister has asked the agriculture department to conduct a census of palm trees. It will be done by 'kisan salahkars' (farmer advisers employed by the state government on contract). They will count and number the trees, enumerate their condition and tapping status and also find out whether they are on government land or private land," a senior official told The Telegraph on condition of anonymity.
Based on the number of palm trees and toddy-tappers in the state, the industries department will finalise a viable plan to promote neera and products derived from it. TNAU, which is considered a pioneer in such products, will transfer their processing technology to BAU.
An entrepreneur in palm tree-based products from Tamil Nadu, D. Subathra Devi, who runs a firm called Eco Buddy Exports, narrated her experience and pros and cons of her business at the meeting. She also displayed palm sugar and jaggery made at her processing plants.
Seeing the presentation, Nitish asked the involved departments to ensure that industries based on palm trees are developed in the coming days and people associated with it, along with self-help and cooperative groups are connected to the work plan with viable employment opportunities.
Discussions were also held on whether neera should be sold as a health drink in bottles or in tetra-pack, and how to ensure that it is not fermented and used as toddy by unscrupulous elements.
Today's decisions came after recent announcements by Nitish that he wanted to develop industries based on palm-tree to ensure better employment opportunities and better future for toddy-tappers and their families. His assurances had come after agitations by toddy-tappers alleging atrocities by the police and excise department officials in the aftermath of total prohibition imposed in Bihar on April 5.
Though toddy is not banned in the state, the officials have cracked the whip on its sale at public places and also unscrupulous elements mixing urea, spirit and medicines to increase its intoxicating effects.
