Tamil Nadu Jaggery: These days, dates and palm jaggery coming from Tamil Nadu are becoming the first choice of people in Ambikapur, headquarters of Surguja division of Chhattisgarh. Even though its price is almost double that of sugarcane jaggery, people are buying it readily due to its health benefits. Actually, this date and palm jaggery has been brought by the elderly Mani of Tamil Nadu to Ambikapur. Palm and dates are cultivated on a large scale in Tamil Nadu, from which sugar-free jaggery is prepared in the traditional way. This is the reason why Mani has reached Ambikapur to sell this jaggery full of natural and medicinal properties. According to local people, palm and date jaggery is considered beneficial in digestion, weakness, anemia and many other diseases. After seeing this kind of jaggery for the first time and knowing its properties, people are not missing out on buying it. Mani is selling around Rs 2 to 3 thousand every day from the stall set up on the roadside of Ambikapur, which is helping him and his family survive. Seeing the increasing demand, it is clear that palm and date jaggery can become even more popular in the coming days. See this report….
Jaggery is being brought from Tamil Nadu and sold in every village.
Mani, who sells palm and date jaggery, told Local 18 that he has brought this jaggery from Tamil Nadu. It has been about 10 to 20 days since he came to Ambikapur and he is roaming from village to village selling his products. He told that people are liking this jaggery a lot and the demand is continuously increasing.
Palm jaggery prepared from ginger and black pepper
Mani told that ginger, black pepper and other medicinal ingredients are mixed in palm jaggery. This jaggery is considered beneficial in problems like gas, cold and cough. This is the reason why people are liking it more in cold weather.
It is being said that it is safe for sugar patients also
According to Mani, both palm jaggery and date jaggery are considered helpful in controlling sugar. He told that sugar patients can also consume it in limited quantity. At the same time, date jaggery is useful for giving strength to the body and it can be used in tea, sweets or even in food directly.
Farming is done in many areas including Rameshwaram.
Mani said that palm and dates are cultivated on a large scale in areas like Rameshwaram, Ootguri and Srichandur of Tamil Nadu. Palm and date palms are visible all around in these areas, from where jaggery is prepared.
Doing business for 8 years
Mani told that he does not make jaggery himself, but buys it from manufacturers and sells it in different states and villages. He has been doing this business for the last 8 years. Regarding the daily earnings, he said that the sales depend on the day, but on an average sales range from Rs 2000 to Rs 3000.
What is the price and where is jaggery available in Ambikapur?
At present, date jaggery is being sold at the rate of Rs 200 per kg and palm jaggery at Rs 220 per kg in Ambikapur. They sell their goods on the Money Road side, police line and around the SP office.
Customers’ words, taste won hearts
Ambikapur resident Avinash Kushwaha told Local 18 that he had gone out for a walk with friends when he saw jaggery with dates and ginger-pepper on the way. Seeing something new, he stopped and tasted the jaggery and bought it for the first time. He said that he had not seen such jaggery before and its effect would be known after testing it.
Tastes better than sugarcane jaggery, not too sweet
Pushpraj Singh, resident of Patpariya, told that he is seeing date jaggery for the first time in Ambikapur. Earlier he had seen it in Odisha. He said that its taste is very good and it tastes much better than sugarcane jaggery. It is not very sweet, which makes it taste good and even diabetic patients can eat it. He told that he will taste palm jaggery for the first time and is excited about its taste.
