With the issue of prohibition dominating the election campaign, the demand for toddy-tapping is gaining currency, as an alternative to Indian-made foreign spirit (IMFS).
“Let all political parties explain their stand on toddy tapping. As coconut farming is no longer lucrative, farmers can overcome their financial crisis only through toddy tapping and export of neera (non-fermented toddy) and sale of palm juice. It will substantially boost the State’s economy,” said C. Nallasami, field coordinator of the Tamil Nadu Toddy Movement.
Both the DMK and the PMK, in their manifestos, have promised to allow production of neera and palm juice. The advocates of toddy-tapping, however, insisted that toddy was a health drink and could not be included on the list of alcoholic beverages. CPI(M) state secretary G. Ramakrishnan said a decision could be arrived at only after implementing prohibition.
Mr. Nallasami made it clear that the organisation was for total prohibition. “But toddy cannot be placed on a par with other liquor because of its health component,” he said.
In Tamil Nadu, approximately 50 lakh families depend on coconut farming and another 10 lakh generate revenue from palm-based products. Of the eight crore palm trees in the country, more than four crore are in Tamil Nadu. It is also the official tree of the State. There are also references in ancient Tamil literature on the health benefits of toddy drinking.
The late Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran brought an end to sale of arrack and toddy distilled from coconut and palm trees 1987. “We are supporting toddy-tapping also from the point of protecting environment. Palm tree is a symbol of Tamil people’s culture and its destruction will not augur well for Tamil community,” Mr. Nallasami said.
Senior psychiatrist S. Nambi, however, struck a note of caution: “Alcohol is alcohol even if its presence is comparatively less in toddy.”
T.R. Baalu, chairman of the DMK’s manifesto drafting committee, explained that his party was for production of neera for export with a view to improving the rural economy. “Production of neera is the solution to avert losses suffered by farmers,” said Mr Baalu.
