Namakkal, Tamil Nadu: Farmers in Namakkal district are being actively encouraged to initiate high-quality mould jaggery (achu vellam) units, with the added incentive of accessing a ₹1 lakh subsidy from the State government to kickstart these centers, according to thehindu.
According to officials, sugarcane is a prominent crop cultivated in areas like Kabilarmalai, Pallipalayam, Mohanur, and Tiruchengode blocks within the district. Despite this, farmers often find themselves selling sugarcane to mills at lower prices, posing a concern. As a solution to this issue and to support the farming community, the State government introduced a scheme in its Agriculture Budget for 2022-23. This initiative aims to motivate farmers to establish high-quality mold jaggery production units.
Under this scheme, farmers stand to benefit from a subsidy equivalent to 25% of the overall project expenses or a maximum of ₹1 lakh to establish the jaggery production center.
The introduction of this scheme holds the potential to uplift farmers’ income levels, consequently enhancing their overall livelihood. By engaging in the production of high-quality jaggery, farmers have the opportunity to venture into entrepreneurship. Moreover, the immediate crushing of sugarcane aids in preserving juice content and prevents any adulteration issues in the jaggery production process, officials highlighted.
The officials emphasized that the promotion of jaggery consumption can contribute to a healthier lifestyle. This initiative is particularly relevant for farmers covered under the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, as well as those involved in sugarcane cultivation under the Agri Infrastructure Fund Scheme (AIF), and aspiring entrepreneurs. Interested individuals can reach out to the Assistant Director of Agriculture (Marketing) at the Collectorate Complex to explore and avail themselves of the benefits of this subsidy.
