📰 Two lakh palm trees identified for Neera production in Bihar

🔹 Scheme Details

  • Scheme NameMukhyamantri Neera Samvardhan Yojana (Chief Minister’s Neera Promotion Scheme).

  • Launch Date – April 30, 2025.

  • Departments Involved – Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department + Jeevika (Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society).

  • Duration – Implemented during toddy season (April–July).


🔹 Benefits & Incentives

  1. For Tappers (Toddy Extractors)

    • 20,000 toddy tappers to benefit.

    • Incentive: ₹8 per litre of Neera (DBT directly to bank accounts).

    • On tapping 10 trees → income of ₹15,600.

    • ₹30 per tree for marking palm trees.

  2. For Palm Tree Owners

    • Incentive: ₹3 per litre for up to 10 trees.

    • Income: ₹5,850 (₹585/tree for 10 trees).

  3. Scale – 2 lakh palm trees identified.


🔹 Context & Background

  • Community Link – Mainly benefits Pasi (Dalit) community, dependent on toddy tapping.

  • Prohibition Act, 2016 – Toddy (Taadi) banned after Nitish Kumar announced liquor prohibition.

  • Past Failure – Earlier attempt to promote Neera as a health drink failed; kiosks shut down.

  • Political Angle – RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had promised to exclude toddy from Bihar Prohibition & Excise Act.

  • Districts with Most Palm Trees/Tappers – Nalanda, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali.

  • Verification – Through Jeevika; license issued by Prohibition Dept.


🔹 Nutritional Value of Neera

  • Rich in calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, phosphorus.

  • Contains antioxidants → boosts immunity.

  • Natural probiotic → improves digestion & hemoglobin levels.

  • Non-alcoholic if consumed fresh; turns into toddy after fermentation.