Chennai, Dec 27 (NationPress) As the harvest festival of Pongal draws near, farmers and jaggery producers throughout Tamil Nadu are calling on the state government to include locally made jaggery in the annual Pongal gift hamper offered through fair price shops.

This initiative would not only bolster traditional cottage industries but also provide vital support to countless rural families facing escalating production costs and waning demand.

Each year, the Tamil Nadu government distributes essential items like raw rice, sugar, and sugarcane to ration card holders as part of its festive welfare program.

Jaggery producers assert that substituting refined sugar with locally sourced jaggery would enhance rural livelihoods while fostering healthier consumption habits.

In Dharmapuri district, a significant hub for jaggery production, over 100 traditional jaggery units are located in areas such as Palacode, Pennagaram, Papparapatti, and nearby villages.

Despite being a major contributor to the state's overall jaggery production, producers from the region report a steady decline in the industry due to low demand, increasing input costs, and shrinking profit margins.

Industry representatives highlight that Dharmapuri alone accounts for approximately 17% to 20% of Tamil Nadu's jaggery output, producing around 60 tonnes daily.

However, soaring costs have rendered production increasingly unfeasible. To produce 100 kilograms of jaggery, nearly one tonne of sugarcane is necessary, costing about Rs 2,800.

Further expenses, such as transportation, fuel, labor, and processing, elevate the total production cost to around Rs 5,200 to Rs 5,500, while market prices remain stagnant at merely Rs 46 to Rs 48 per kg, leading to persistent losses.

A shortage of labor has intensified the crisis. Jaggery production is labor-intensive and requires skilled workers, who now demand daily wages ranging from Rs 700 to Rs 1,000.

Many laborers are reluctant to stay in the sector due to the physically demanding nature of the job and uncertain returns. Producers contend that including jaggery in the Pongal gift scheme would guarantee demand, stabilize prices, and help sustain traditional production techniques.

Officials from the district administration have acknowledged that similar requests were made in previous years, but clarified that the final decision lies with the state government as it involves policy-level considerations.

For numerous farmers and small-scale manufacturers, this proposal is viewed as a lifeline that could rejuvenate a waning rural industry while preserving the cultural significance of the harvest festival.