Marayoor jaggery, a traditional and handmade delicacy from the Idukki district of Kerala, achieved Geographical Indication (GI) status on March 8, 2019. The GI tag is awarded to products with a distinct geographical origin and unique qualities or reputation. Marayoor jaggery, made from sugarcane cultivated in the scenic Marayoor and Kanthalloor regions, is celebrated for its high sweetness, rich iron content, and absence of added chemicals, setting it apart from mass-produced jaggery.
Benefits of the GI Tag
- Prevention of Fake Jaggery: The GI tag protects the authenticity of Marayoor jaggery, preventing counterfeit versions from infiltrating the market. Consumers can now confidently purchase the real, high-quality product.
- Increased Product Value: With the GI tag, the value of Marayoor jaggery has risen, reflecting its superior quality and traditional production methods, making it more desirable for consumers.
- Boost in Sales: The GI certification has significantly increased the demand for Marayoor jaggery, as consumers are more likely to buy a product with a certified origin and reputation.
- Safeguarding Tradition: Perhaps most importantly, the GI tag helps rejuvenate and protect the traditional, eco-friendly methods of jaggery production, which have been passed down through generations in the region.
What Makes Marayoor Jaggery Special?
Marayoor is situated 42 kilometers north of Munnar, on the Munnar-Udumbalpetta road, and is known not just for its breathtaking natural beauty and sandalwood forests, but also for its vast sugarcane fields. More than 2,500 acres of land in the Marayoor and Kanthalloor regions are dedicated to sugarcane cultivation, the primary crop here.
The distinctive geographical location of Marayoor, nestled within the Western Ghats, gives the sugarcane a unique identity, contributing to the jaggery’s exceptional quality. The jaggery itself is dark brown, rich in iron, and handmade using traditional methods. Farmers, mostly belonging to the Muthuva tribe, process the sugarcane into jaggery directly on their farms without the use of chemicals, preserving its natural sweetness and purity.
Community Empowerment and Fair Trade
Marayoor Forest Development Agencies (FDA) have taken significant steps to ensure fair trade and better livelihoods for the local cultivators, who are often marginal farmers from forest villages. These farmers, organized under the Vana Samrakshana Samithis (VSS), now benefit from FDA’s initiatives to market Marayoor jaggery, ensuring that the product is sold at fair prices, allowing the community to thrive.
In conclusion, Marayoor jaggery is not just a sweet treat but a product of cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and sustainable farming practices. The GI tag not only protects its uniqueness but also empowers the local community, ensuring that this age-old craft continues to flourish for future generations.
