POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGY, VALUE ADDITION AND MARKETING OF PALMYRA PALM (BORASSUS FLABELLIFER L.) – PROGRESS, CONSTRAINTS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Abstract

Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer L.), the state tree of Tamil Nadu, continues to be an underutilized plantation crop even though it offers wide range of edible and industrial products. This review compiles research (2017 2026) on the postharvest technology, storage, transportation and marketing of palmyra fruit (nungu/ice apple), sap (neera), toddy and value-added products like palm jaggery, sugar, candy and thavun. India holds an estimation of 90-122 million palmyra palms, with Tamil Nadu representing about its half, concentrated in Tuticorin, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Ramanathapuram districts (~9,674 ha; ~14.7/ha). Packaging and refrigeration can prolong the shelf life of tender fruit from hours to 8-14 days, whereas hurdle and thermal treatments can postpone neera fermentation by up to three weeks. Key constraints include the palm’s gradual, dioecious growth, a diminishing tapper work force, lack of cold-chain infrastructure, unstandardized processing and regulatory restrictions on toddy. Mechanized tapping tools, cold chain linked bottling, GI labeling and skill-focused entrepreneurship are recommended to redefine palmyra as a climate – resilient commercial crop.