Jaggery making is a cottage industry that provides livelihood to millions but, on the flip side, it has a negative environmental impact as the conventional manufacturing process involves open earth furnaces burning bagasse — a fuel with poor combustion characteristics. Some production units also use alternative fuels such as plastic or rubber waste, releasing harmful flue gases through chimneys. These practices can also reduce product quality, leading producers to use artificial additives to enhance appearance for market value.

Published on January 13, 2025