Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has lauded the efforts of the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) in developing a technology for neera production.
Inaugurating the neera plant at the College of Agriculture (CoA), Padannakkad, the Chief Minister said neera production was bound to enhance the profits of coconut farmers in the State and the KAU’s contribution would be remembered as a milestone in developing farmer-friendly technology.
Mr. Chandy lauded the research achievements of the KAU. He said the KAU was an important institution and hence its requirements would be considered with a positive attitude.
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The Chief Minister also inaugurated the new farm office, postgraduate block and women’s hostel annexe.
Minister for Agriculture K.P. Mohanan, in his presidential address, said that a Centre of Excellence in Organic Agriculture would be established at Nileswaram as part of the centenary celebrations of the Nileswaram agricultural farm, attached to the CoA.
The Minister promised full financial support for the new centre, which would be the epicentre of activities to make Kasaragod the first fully organic district in the State.
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KAU Vice-Chancellor P.Rajendran highlighted the fact that the KAU was the first institution to develop a quality technology for neera production. The technology developed by the KAU was handed over to the Government in 2012, based on which special sanction was accorded for neera research.
The first ever neera drink was produced by the KAU, which was released by the Chief Minister in November 2013.
The new plant can produce 100 litres of neera per hour. The Vice-Chancellor also stressed the university’s commitment to food safety and food security.