Kochi: After an absence of four decades from the retail market, the renowned Alangad jaggery is poised to make a comeback. Scheduled for arrival by the end of January 2024, the inaugural batch of Alangad jaggery, named after its place of origin in Ernakulam, is part of the ‘Krishikkoppam Kalamassery’ initiative. This initiative aims to revive numerous traditional crops historically cultivated in the region, reported The New Indian Express.
P M Manaf, the president of Alangad panchayat, announced that the sugarcane crops, crucial for the production of Alangad jaggery, are ready for harvest. The ‘Krishikkoppam Kalamassery’ project is spearheaded by the local legislator and Industries Minister P Rajeeve. Currently in its initial phase, the cultivation is taking place on six acres of land at Neerikode, Kongorpilly, and Thiruvallur within the Alangad panchayat. Support for this cultivation is being extended by various entities, including the Ernakulam Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Alangad Cooperative Bank, Alangad grama panchayat, Krishi Bhavan, the agriculture department, Atma, and Alangad block panchayat.
Manaf highlighted the assistance received for sugarcane cultivation, stating that Krishi Bhavan and KVK provided expertise and sowing cuttings. He expressed optimism about the growing interest among farmers, indicating that the acreage may expand in the next cultivation cycle.
