Mandya: ‘Neera’ is a highly nutritious health drink gaining popularity all over the world. It is another gift from the coconut tree. However, unlike toddy, Neera has amazing health benefits and no alcohol content. The State Government, realising the health benefits of this drink, has issued a final gazette notification on Neera policy. The coconut growers of the district are eager to tap the drink after the announcement of the policy. A farmer leader S. N. Siddegowda has jumped into the bandwagon and opened Neera Juice Parlour on Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway near Tubinakere village in Mandya District, which has become a hit with the travellers. They are gulping more than 60 litres of neera every day. Each glass of the energy drink costs Rs.15. The farmers who extract neera before sunrise supply it to Siddegowda. Why do travellers throng Neera Parlour? It is because of Siddegowda’s business acumen. He has displayed a flex board highlighting the health benefits of the drink and its nutritional content. More importantly, to add authenticity to the claim, he has also displayed a certificate from Mysuru-based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), which says neera is not an alcoholic drink, but a nutritional one. Siddegowda has taken 40 coconut trees on contract at Tubinakere and taps around 100 litres every day. Some of the customers visit the coconut farm directly for neera and the demand picks up during weekends.
