KANNUR: Kannur Feni produced from cashews to fill liquor glasses. Production will begin in December, the next cashew season. Production is under the leadership of the CPM-ruled Payyavoor Service Cooperative Bank. Final approval has been received. This is after the state's Excise Act and rules were amended to produce low-strength liquor from fruits. All that is left is the excise license.

Marketing will be through consumerfed outlets. Later, it will be delivered to beverage outlets. Bank Secretary M.V. Rajesh Kumar said that machinery for the bottling unit will be delivered from Goa soon.

Feni will be produced by collecting cashews through primary groups. Eighty percent of the profit will be passed on to the farmers. Loans and subsidies will be provided to expand cashew farming. The cashew season is from December to May. Feni production will take place during this time. A cashew factory will also be started. After Feni production, the cashew waste will be processed and turned into organic fertilizer.

Long wait

Payyavor Bank approached the government in 2016 with the idea of ​​making Feni from cashews. Approval was given on June 30, 2022. However, the report of the Assembly Subject Committee, which formulates the rules for the manufacture of Feni, was delayed. The constant effort for this was made by the bank president T.M. Joshi, who is also a member of the Karshaka Sangham state committee.

Price Rs 500-600 per liter

• One kilo of cashews yields 5.5 liters of juice. If this is processed, half a liter of Feni is obtained

• The production cost of one liter of Feni is Rs 200-250. Since there is 100% excise tax, it is expected to be sold for Rs 500-600 per liter

Employment potential for 100 people

''Since Feni is traditional Goan liquor, there is doubt whether this name can be used. Therefore, after consulting legal experts, a new name will be considered if necessary.

-T.M. Joshi, President,

Payyavoor Cooperative Bank