Coconut growers made aware on value addition

Coconut growers made aware on value addition

Mangalore Today News Network

Kasargod, Dec 03, 2015:    Addressing coconut growers at the inauguratl of a coconut producers’ society at Punacha, near Vitla on Dec 1, P. Chowdappa, Director of Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, suggested that coconut farmers can go for value addition of coconut to earn more income.

He also suggested to make use of technologies developed by the CPCRI for manufacturing various value-added products of coconut such as coconut honey, syrup, virgin coconut oil, neera and sugar and jaggery made from neera.  He released ‘Kalparasa’ or neera, a coconut health drink, on the occasion.

Director Chowdappa said that by tapping neera, a farmer could earn Rs. 15,000 a palm a year. “Coconut-based value-addded products produced by various societies should be marketed with a single brand name to reduce competion.  Muruva Mahabala Bhat, vice-president, Mangaluru Coconut Growers’ Federation, was present.