Lucknow. As such, the focus of the governments has been on sugar producers. But now the sweetness of jaggery is going to increase. The days of the producers are very different. There is a preparation to put wings on the Gur Mahotsava in February in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.
The event was scheduled to take place last year, but due to Corona it had to be postponed. Now the sugar industry and sugarcane development department has again started preparing for it. Recently, in a meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary of the department Sanjay Bhusha Reddy, its format and purpose was discussed in detail.
It is expected that the date and place of the event will also be announced soon. However, its likely date may be 13 and 14 February. It will showcase branding of jaggery and its related products. More and more people join the festival. To be aware of the quality and range of jaggery, it will also have wide publicity.
Progressive sugarcane farmers from all over the state will be invited to the event. Many specialist producers of agriculture and food processing sector will also participate in it.
Officials say that products ranging from jaggery chocolate to sweets, candy, kheer etc. will be displayed at the festival. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Sugarcane Research Institute have jointly prepared chocolate and other products in different flavors. Muzaffarnagar has over a hundred range of jaggery processed products. Farmers who come to the festival will be aware of them. Interested farmers will also be given training in this regard later.
According to experts, jaggery itself is a complete diet. It is also a source of energy with medicinal properties. Many nutrients (iron, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A and B) are found in plenty in it. Malnutrition can also be eliminated by fortifying it with vitamins according to the need. This is the reason why the jaggery and its processed products of Muzaffarnagar available in different flavors and fragrances are in such demand in the country and the world that there is no supply. Sugarcane producing other districts can also make sugarcane cultivation possibilities through processing of jaggery.
‘One District, One Product’ (ODOP) is a very ambitious plan of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Jaggery is the ODOP of Muzaffarnagar and Ayodhya. The Gur Mahotsav has been organized in Muzaffarnagar. In order to achieve the goal of doubling the income of farmers, the Yogi government is constantly trying to get the branding of agro based products and its good price. This event is being organized in this order. This will not only benefit Ayodhya township adjacent to it and sugarcane growers of Awadh and Purvanchal and sugarcane farmers of the district.
The income of farmers processing jaggery will increase. Local employment opportunities as well. He will no longer be in love with sugar mills for selling sugarcane. The expected dates of the festival may be 13 and 14 February. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate it.
Additional Chief Secretary Sugar Industry and Sugarcane Development Sanjay Bhus Reddy informed that the objectives and program of Gur Mahotsav 2021 are being prepared. The festival will promote the medicinal benefits of jaggery and its by-products.
Reddy informed that the program is likely on 13 and 14 February. It will invite people producing jaggery from across the state.
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