Preserved & Fermented Foods · Kerala — Marayoor, Idukki
Marayoor Jaggery (Sharkkara)
Made from sugarcane grown in the rain-shadow valley of Marayoor without chemical fertiliser, this unrefined jaggery is known for its distinctive golden colour and clean, non-cloying sweetness.
GI status: GI-registered, 2015
Shelf life: 9–12 months in a dry, airtight container
Women-led sector
| Category | Preserved & Fermented Foods |
|---|---|
| Region | Kerala — Marayoor, Idukki |
| GI status | GI-registered, 2015 |
| Typical shelf life | 9–12 months in a dry, airtight container |
| Women's role in production | Cane-crushing is mechanised, but grading, moulding and packing of the finished jaggery blocks is a major source of income for women in Marayoor's farming cooperatives. |
Why this fits a low-wastage SHG model: Solid jaggery blocks, kept dry, last many months without spoiling — a natural fit for a wastage-averse SHG product line.