Palakkad Coconut Producer Company Ltd (PCPCL), an initiative of coconut farmers in the state, has officially launched Neera under the brand name PamDew in its kiosk set up at Vyttila Mobility Hub.
Neera is the non-fermented sap extracted from inflorescence of coconut palms and it is a non-alcoholic beverage, high in nutritional value and an instant thirst quencher. The price has been fixed at ₹25 per glass for 200 ml.
This is the first government approved sales of Neera in an organised manner and the company plans to open around 20 coconut kiosks in various parts of the State in the next six months for the sale and distribution of Neera and tender coconut water to ensure a fair and consistent return to coconut farmers, says the company officials.
PCPCL is an initiative of coconut farmers in Palakkad formed in June last year. It is the apex of the three-tier structure that includes coconut producer societies and coconut producer federations. This is the second producer company registered in Kerala upon facilitation by the Coconut Development Board to initiate and implement activities to ensure prices for an average coconut farmer.
The company is involved in activities related to coconut farming, trading and processing for the benefit of farmer members.
The most significant character of neera is its high percentage of sodium, potassium, vitamins, several other minerals and sugar with low Glycemic Index. In addition to its utility as health drink, the officials said a diverse range of by-products such as palm jaggery/palm honey/palm sugar could be made from neera.
Besides Neera brand, PCPCL also sells cooled tender coconut water, tender coconut shakes and a range of coconut-based value-added products like coconut chips, coconut milk and desiccated coconut powder. The company owns a Neera processing plant in Mangalore and a modern copra dryer in Muthalamada.