Kolkata (west Bengal), Oct 19: The coconut is a fruit cherished in nearly every household across India. Coconut trees are a common sight in coastal states, from West Bengal and Odisha in the east to Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka in the south, and Goa and Maharashtra in the west.
The abundance of coconut trees is particularly striking in India’s two island territories, Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep. When describing the island of Lanka in the Ramayana era, the great poet Kalidasa wrote, “Tamalataleevanarajinila.”
While there’s no explicit mention of coconut trees, it’s not surprising, as scientifically, coconut trees belong to the palm family. Thus, the word “talee” (palm) subtly includes coconut trees as well.
Inspired by the sweet taste of palm sap, agricultural scientists began exploring coconut trees for similar sap. They found their desired sap, called neera, extracted from the coconut flower or inflorescence. Neera is not only delicious but also rich in numerous nutritional benefits. For this reason, scientists are actively seeking ways to utilize this newfound resource of the coconut tree across various Indian states.
Coconut cultivation spans approximately 1.895 million hectares across nine states and three Union Territories in India. Each hectare yields around 9,000 coconuts. As a cash crop, the coconut, scientifically named Cocos nucifera, is highly popular.
Generally, two varieties are cultivated: tall and dwarf. A tall coconut tree can produce up to 75 coconuts annually. The four southern states account for about 92% of India’s total coconut production, with Kerala alone contributing 45.22%. Goa, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha, and the northeastern states of Tripura and Assam together account for 8.44% of the production.
In West Bengal, coconut cultivation is widespread across various districts.Under the guidance of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-affiliated Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, the Horticulture Department of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya has initiated a pilot project for neera production. At the university’s farm in Mondouri, Professor Deepak Ghosh began the process of extracting sap from coconut flowers.
Subsequently, in late August, the project commenced at Debabrata Ghosh’s coconut orchard in Bakulia, Hooghly. By mid-last month, neera production began, with each tree yielding an average of 1 liter of sap daily, collected twice a day. This yellowish sap is obtained by skillfully tying and massaging the coconut inflorescence.
The sap is collected in a special container and stored in cool conditions to prevent fermentation. Neera contains minerals like iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium, as well as polyphenols, various vitamins, and several fatty acids. It also contains inulin, a special type of fiber that prevents the absorption of internal sugars or glucose into the bloodstream.
Unlike other fruit juices, neera has a low glycemic index due to the absence of fructose, making it safe and beneficial for diabetics who cannot consume other fruit juices due to the risk of elevated sugar levels. Pregnant women are also advised to drink neera, as it provides essential nutrients and minerals easily.
A single coconut tree yields coconuts worth approximately ₹2,000 to ₹2,500 annually. In contrast, the same tree can produce at least 300 liters of neera per year. Unlike date or palm trees, which have a specific season for sap collection, coconut trees can produce neera year-round.
However, trees used for sap collection do not bear fruit. In West Bengal, coconut cultivation covers 293,000 hectares, with 175 trees per hectare, totaling over 51.2 million trees. Naturally, about 5% of these trees are sterile, producing only flowers but no fruit. If just 1% of these trees are used for neera production, over 500,000 trees could be tapped, creating an additional 236,000 labor days annually, as one worker can collect sap from 15–20 trees daily.
This demonstrates how neera production can benefit both farmers and agricultural laborers. At an average price of ₹60 per liter, a coconut farmer could earn an additional ₹20,000 annually by selling neera. In South India, neera is also used to make sweets, and similar efforts in West Bengal could be particularly beneficial for diabetic patients.
The Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries is taking various initiatives to promote industries in this sector, including launching several schemes. Marketing neera in attractive, scientifically designed packaging could open new avenues for success.
Thinking beyond conventional approaches and embracing Neera could lead to both prosperity and opportunity. All it requires is willpower, sincerity, and dedication.
