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Updated - June 25, 2026 at 04:38 PM.

| Kochi

KVK Head Shinoj Subrahmanian handing over the policy document to Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan.

Ernakulam Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has proposed statewide promotion of sugarcane cultivation and small-scale jaggery production units to ensure the availability of pure jaggery. A policy document in this regard was submitted to Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan, recommending to emulate the successful ‘Alanagad Jaggery Revival Model’ demonstrated by KVK.

According to the document, scientific sugarcane cultivation linked with micro-processing units can ensure adulteration free jaggery, boost farmers’ income, create new employment opportunities, and foster entrepreneurship.

The ‘Alanagad Jaggery Revival Model’ implemented by KVK since 2022 yielded an average of 16 tonnes of sugarcane per acre. A processing unit with a daily capacity of one tonne of sugarcane yields about 10 per cent jaggery by total weight, making village-level jaggery enterprises technically and financially feasible. Scientific sugarcane cultivation in about 20 acres, even with small-holdings can adequately cater to a one-tonne-per-day processing unit and ensure year-round jaggery production. An investment of approximately ₹20 lakh is required to set up such a unit. Even with small-holdings, a phased cultivation across a total of 20 acres can keep these processing units operational throughout the year, KVK’s document said.

Special mission

Formation of special mission was also recommended to facilitate convergence among government departments, research institutions, local self-government institutions, farmer organisations, financial institutions and entrepreneurs for scaling up the model across the State. This was aimed at integrating sugarcane farming, jaggery production, and value-added products to open up extensive agri-tourism opportunities.

Shinoj Subrahmanian, head, KVK handed over the document to the Chief Minister.

Other key recommendations in the policy document include identifying more regions suitable for sugarcane farming, providing scientific training to farmers, establishing localized processing units, and developing distinct district-level brands backed by a robust marketing network.

Published on June 25, 2026

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