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CDB-DFRL develop tech for packaging tender coconut water in pouches, cans
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Friday, 30 December, 2011, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Nandita Vijay, Bangalore
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The Coconut Development Board (CDB) in collaboration with Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Mysore, has developed the technology for packaging tender coconut water in pouches and aluminum cans. The process technology is now made available to entrepreneurs at a total lumpsum transfer fee of Rs 3 lakh.
The processing and packaging of tender coconut water with a capacity of 10,000 tender nuts per day involves an investment ranging from Rs 35 to Rs 40 lakh covering plant, machinery and working capital with a direct employment potential of 30 personnel. The profitability after taking into account the prevailing prices of finished product works out to be around 20 per cent with a payback period of 3 years, according to CDB.
Coconut water of 6-7 month stage is first filtered through pressure filters and then mixed with the desired proportion of additives plus sugar and concentrated to the appropriate level. The water is then packed in pouches / cans and retorted in an autoclave, after which it is cooled in a stream of cold water. It helps to retain the flavour of the tender coconut water in pouches or cans for three months at room temperature and for six months under refrigerated conditions.
The financial assistance will be extended to the potential entrepreneurs under the Technology Mission on Coconut. The CDB will offer the financial assistance to establish the coconut water processing units for production of value-added products at the rate of 25 per cent of the project cost, but not more than Rs 50 lakh. The assistance will be extended as credit-linked back-ended subsidy. Modernisation and expansion of existing processing units will also be eligible for assistance.
Currently, entrepreneurs from Karnataka, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh have set up a total of six units and commercial production has commenced. These include Jain Agro Food Products (P) Ltd, Sakthi Coco Products, Fortune Beverages and Anu Coco Beverages.
As part of increasing opportunities for the coconut industry, CBD is also providing financial assistance for promoting tender coconut parlours, kiosks and outlets. The move by the board follows the increased demand for natural tender coconut water during the summer months. In fact, tender coconut water is a nutritious and thirst-quenching health drink. The pure and sweet tender coconut is known for therapeutic properties and is a thirst-quenching refreshing health drink for all age groups, according to an official.
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