Question : Dahanu is situated in which district of Maharashtra ?
(a) Palghar
(b) Thane
(c) Nasik
(d) Jalgaon
Answer : (a)
Related facts
Context
- The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) on 16 June,2020 rolled out a unique project to produce ”Neera and Palmgur (jaggery)” which it expects has a huge potential to create employment in the country.
Place & project
- The project was launched at Dahanu in Palghar district of Maharashtra, a state with more than 50 lakh palm trees.
- The project has been rolled out at the initiative of MSME
The initiative will provide direct employment to 400 local traditional trappers. - The project aims at promoting ”Neera” as a substitute to soft drinks while also creating self-employment for tribals and traditional trappers.
- While launching the project, the KVIC distributed tool kits for extraction of Neera and making palmgur to 200 local artisans who were given seven days training.
- A tool kit worth Rs 15,000 comprises a food grade stainless steel kadhai (cooking utensil), perforated moulds, canteen burners and other equipment like knives, rope and axes for extraction of Neera.
Neera
- Neera, extracted from the palm trees before sunrise, is a nutrient-rich health drink consumed in many Indian states.
- However, due to lack of institutionalized marketing technique, the commercial production and large scale marketing of Neera has not commenced yet.
- A wide range of products like candies, milk chocolates, palm cola, ice-cream and traditional sweets can be produced from Neera if properly marketed.
- At present Palmgur Neera worth Rs 500 crore is traded in the country. The turnover is likely to increase manifold with commercial production of Neera.
- India has an abundance of palm fields in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar that can make India a leading producer of Neera globally.
Palm oil Statistics
