The Sugarcane Seed Production Centre in Kadakkad is gearing up to kick off production of the renowned Pandalam jaggery.
Published Jul 31, 2025 | 8:15 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 31, 2025 | 8:15 AM
Jaggery production.
Without jaggery-laced payasam or jaggery-coated banana chips (sharkara varatti), Onam celebrations feel incomplete — making jaggery one of the most sought-after items during the festive season, alongside bananas and flowers.
To sweeten this year’s festivities, the Sugarcane Seed Production Centre in Kadakkad in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, operating under the Agriculture Department, is gearing up to kick off production of the renowned Pandalam jaggery within the coming week.
Though the final output target hasn’t been confirmed, the centre is aiming to ramp up production to the highest possible level this season. Preparations are in full swing, with essential machinery being set up for a smooth production process.
This year, the jaggery will be made exclusively from the Pathiyan sugarcane variety and will be packed using automated filling systems to maintain both quality and hygiene.
Priced at ₹140 per kilogram, the jaggery is expected to hit the shelves well before the start of the Onam season, according to Agricultural Officer R Rajith. Sugarcane cultivated across 15 acres within the centre’s premises will be used for this purpose. With its reputation for being pure and free from adulteration, Pandalam jaggery enjoys high demand in the market.
The centre aims to produce nearly 200 kg daily, with skilled workers being brought in on a contract basis to manage the process.
