Kerala's Marayur jaggery gets GI tag

Marayur organic jaggery produced at Marayur in the hilly district of Idukki in Kerala has bagged Geographical Indication tag.

Marayur jaggery is known especially for its organic and traditional production using the sugar cane cultivated in the region. It does not contain any chemicals and is high in iron and calcium. The sugar cane plantations are spread over several acres at Marayur. Hundreds of workers, mainly from Tamil Nadu, have been involved in Marayur jaggery making for the last many decades.

The Centre granted the GI tag considering various aspects of its manufacturing and the peculiarities of the region.

The Kerala Government's agriculture department had taken the initiative to get the GI tag for the product. The Kerala Agriculture University was also actively involved in the process over the last few years.

Sandalwood forests

Kerala agriculture minister V S Sunil Kumar said with the GI tag, the Marayur jaggery would be in high demand in the market. The threat to Marayur jaggery from fake jaggery products sporting Marayur label would be checked to benefit the workers involved in Marayur jaggery production, he said.

Marayur, about 45 km from Munnar tourist destination, is also known for sandalwood forests.