Belagavi: This year’s drought in the state has taken a toll on jaggery-making units in the district, significantly impacting output. The reduced sugarcane production, a consequence of the drought, has led to lower juice yields, compounding the challenges faced by the jaggery-making industry, reported Deccan Herald.
In the market, jaggery is currently priced at Rs 5,000 per quintal, experiencing high demand, particularly for the organic variety, as health-conscious consumers increasingly favor it over sugar as a sweetener.
The adverse conditions have not only affected jaggery producers but have also left sugarcane farmers discontented, experiencing reduction in returns. Villages along the Belagavi-Bagalkot road, situated on the outskirts of the city, once home to over 100 jaggery-making units, have witnessed a decline in numbers over the years. Contributing factors include labor shortages and farmers preferring to send their produce to sugar factories.
This crushing season, Sambra village, which previously boasted 22 jaggery-making units, is down to just four. The impact of the drought on the supply side raises concerns about their ability to produce jaggery until March 24, the conclusion of the sugarcane season.
