Production of ‘neera’ in Gaya impresses team from Rajasthan

Gaya: The state government’s post-prohibition model to provide alternate livelihood opportunity by encouraging production of ‘neera’ has found many takers. A five-member team from Rajasthan, which visited Gaya on Wednesday, was impressed by ‘neera’ production in the district.
The team, comprising of Pooja Bharti Chhabra, chairperson of prohibition movement in Rajasthan, Vijay Joshi, departmental officer of the committee constituted by Rajasthan excise department and others had arrived Gaya to study the post-prohibition impact and the role of people, especially women, in effective implementation of prohibition in Bihar.
As many as 20 counters of neera have already become functional in the district.
“The team members from Rajasthan were highly impressed by the production of Neera. They also liked the taste of ‘peda’ made from Neera. There is huge potential for neera production in the district.
According to a survey, there are nearly 14 lakh palm and about four lakh date palm trees in the district. On an average, nearly 10 litres of toddy can be collected from one palm tree during peak season in April-May,” Gaya DM Thiyagarajan SM said.
He added, “At present more than 2,000 tappers have been engaged in collection of sky juice from palm and the date palm trees. So far 90 producer groups have been made in different blocks. One production group comprises 20 to 80 members.”
The team from Rajasthan collected necessary inputs about production of neera.