As the Pongal festival nears, farmers and jaggery producers in Tamil Nadu are urging the state government to incorporate locally produced jaggery in the annual Pongal gift packages distributed through fair price shops. This move is advocated to support traditional cottage industries and offer relief to rural families grappling with escalating production costs and diminishing demand. The Tamil Nadu government traditionally distributes raw rice, sugar, and sugarcane to ration card holders during festive seasons as part of its welfare program.
Advocates for jaggery producers emphasize that substituting refined sugar with locally made jaggery would not only boost rural livelihoods but also encourage healthier consumption habits. Dharmapuri district, a key jaggery-producing region in Tamil Nadu, houses over 100 traditional jaggery units in areas like Palacode, Pennagaram, Papparapatti, and neighboring villages. Despite being a significant contributor to the state’s jaggery output, producers in this area express concerns over declining demand, rising input costs, and shrinking profit margins.
Representatives from the industry highlight that Dharmapuri alone contributes nearly 17 to 20 percent of Tamil Nadu’s jaggery production, with a daily output of approximately 60 tonnes. However, the increasing costs have rendered production economically unviable. It takes nearly one tonne of sugarcane, costing around Rs 2,800, to produce 100 kilograms of jaggery. Additional expenses such as transportation, fuel, labor, and processing elevate the total production cost to around Rs 5,200–Rs 5,500, while market prices remain at only Rs 46–Rs 48 per kg, leading to consistent losses.
The crisis is exacerbated by a labor shortage in the sector. Jaggery production is labor-intensive and demands skilled workers who now seek daily wages ranging from Rs 700 to Rs 1,000. Many workers are reluctant to continue in the industry due to the physically demanding nature of the work and uncertain returns. Producers believe that including jaggery in the Pongal gift scheme would ensure demand, stabilize prices, and preserve traditional production methods.
Local officials acknowledge the recurring requests made in previous years but clarify that the ultimate decision lies with the state government, involving policy-level considerations. For numerous farmers and small-scale manufacturers, this initiative is viewed as a crucial support that could rejuvenate a declining rural industry while upholding the cultural significance of the harvest festival.
