Minister for Cooperation V.N. Vasavan said on Wednesday that 16 lakh litres of feni can be produced from the cashew produced annually in Kerala.
The Cooperation Department has given shape to a project where cooperatives produce feni using cashews which are in plentiful supply in the Malabar region, Mr. Vasavan said. One litre of feni is priced between ₹850 and ₹1,000 per litre today. This could bring in good income for the farmers and make them self-sufficient, he said in a statement.
The Cooperation Department is focusing on value addition of agricultural produce which is designed to benefit both the agriculture and cooperative sectors, he said. Speaking during the discussion for demands for grants in the cooperative sector in the Assembly on Wednesday, Mr. Vasavan said that 146 cooperatives are currently making use of the infrastructure fund of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
The Cooperation Department is placing big thrust on the export of value-added agri produce he said. The Department also plans to hold the Cooperative Expo in Thiruvananthapuram from April 21 to April 30, he added.
Published – March 12, 2025 08:36 pm IST