Keeping in view the increased demand for jaggery (gur) and jaggery powder (shakkar), the Haryana Government has commenced production of these natural sweeteners in the cooperative sugar mills for the first time.

While Cooperative Sugar Mill, Meham, has already started production and sale of jaggery and jaggery powder, the cooperative sugar mills at Kaithal and Palwal will also start production this week, said Cooperation Minister, Banwari Lal.

The project was announced by the Cooperation Minister ahead of the crushing season which began on November 1 last year.

The decision to undertake jaggery production was taken following a dip in demand for refined sugar and surge in demand for jaggery and other natural sweeteners.

The Minister said that these three mills would each produce 100 to 150 quintals of jaggery and jaggery powder per day. Variants of jaggery, including plain and spiced, would be made available for sale in multiple package sizes ranging from one kilogram to ten kilograms. The spiced versions would include ingredients such as cardamom, fennel (saunf), black pepper, peanuts and desiccated coconut, he said.

The project, which is being undertaken on pilot basis, would reduce losses and generate profits for the cooperative sugar mills. At the same time, the people of the state would benefit from the availability of good quality natural alternatives to sugar. We may also begin jaggery production in other cooperative sugar mills if this project gets a good response, the Minister added.

Highlighting the health benefits of consuming jaggery, Banwari Lal said that being an unrefined type of sugar made primarily from boiling raw concentrated sugarcane juice, the natural sweetener retained essential minerals and vitamins and did not contain any synthetic additives. Jaggery is recommended by health experts and has been traditionally considered as an effective way to boost immunity, improve digestion, regulate body temperature - particularly in winters, prevent deficiencies, and keep skin healthy, in addition to other benefits.

These benefits are enhanced when we combine jaggery with spices such as cardamom and fennel, he added.

Managing Director, Cooperative Sugar Mill, Meham, Jagdeep Singh, said that the unit had started sale of plain jaggery and jaggery powder at the factory outlet of the sugar mill on trial basis. Variants with different spices and multiple package sizes would soon be introduced, he added.