Chennai, 27 December (H.S.) : Jaggery producers and farmers across Tamil Nadu have submitted a formal request to the state government to include locally manufactured jaggery in the annual Pongal gift hamper.

Currently, the government distributes essential items such as raw rice, sugar, and sugarcane to ration card holders through fair price shops as part of the festive welfare initiative. The producers argue that incorporating jaggery instead of refined sugar would provide critical support to the traditional cottage industry and improve rural livelihoods.

According to industry representatives, the sector is facing a severe crisis due to rising production costs and declining market demand. In major production hubs like Dharmapuri, which accounts for nearly twenty percent of the state's output, over one hundred units are struggling to survive.

Producers stated that while it costs approximately five thousand five hundred rupees to produce one hundred kilograms of jaggery, the market price remains stagnant at around forty eight rupees per kilogram, leading to consistent financial losses.

Labor shortages and high wages have further burdened the industry. Skilled workers now demand daily wages between seven hundred and one thousand rupees, making the labor-intensive process increasingly unviable for small-scale manufacturers.

The inclusion of jaggery in the gift scheme is seen as a vital lifeline that could stabilize prices and ensure a steady demand for their products. This move would also promote healthier consumption practices among the public during the harvest festival.

District administration officials acknowledged that similar appeals have been made in previous years. However, they clarified that the final decision remains with the state government as it involves significant policy considerations and budgetary planning.

For thousands of families dependent on this traditional craft, the government's intervention is viewed as essential for preserving the cultural essence of the festival and preventing the complete collapse of a historic rural industry.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary