An agitation is being planned by coconut growers against alleged covert moves being made to allow non-farmer agencies to manufacture “neera” sidelining coconut growers cooperatives.
It was decided at a convention of federation of coconut growers held here at Indoor stadium on Monday to convene a meeting in Kozhikode on July25 to announce the agitation.Coconut growers’ cooperatives had formed federations under the aegis of Coconut Development Board. These federations were engaged in floating companies to manufacture “neera” (soft toddy) so that coconut growers would get full monetary benefits from the government’s acceptance, in principle, for the demand to allow coconut growers to tap “neera” from their coconut palms.
The growers are however worried about reports that indicate other agencies are planning to manufacture “neera”. “If other agencies are allowed to manufacture “neera”, farmers would not get any benefits out of government decision to manufacture “neera”, P. Pradeepkumar, chairman of the organising committee for the convention on July 25 said on Monday.
A common platform for coconut growers would be formed at the convention at Indoor stadium. The organizsing committee can be contacted at 9447846140.
