Abstract: Jaggery, anon-centrifugal sugar( NCS), is a naturally produced sweetener and a good source of minerals, essential vitamins and bioactives. attained by concentrating the authorities attained sugarcane and/ or win trees. Jaggery can be used as a base for number of sweet dishes in different countries because it has sweet winy scent and succulent flavour which lies between brown sugar and molasses. Jaggery manufacturing is a nonstop heat and mass transfer process which involves colorful unit operations and in which the effectiveness of juice explanation plays an important part in maintaining the nutritive quality and storehouse life of jaggery.
Introduction: The total geographical area of Assam is 78,520 Sq. km out of which area is enthralled by husbandry sector alone. About 90 of the growers belong to small and borderline groups with average functional holding being1.55 hectares and husbandry is the main source of their livelihood. There are a number of crops grown by the growers. These include different food crops, marketable crops, oil painting seeds etc. The top food crops produced in the state are rice sludge( sludge), beats, oilseed, potato, wheat,etc. and tea, jute, oilseeds, sugarcane are the important cash crops grown in the state. Although rice is the top crop dominating the cropping pattern of the state, sugarcane is one of the important marketable crops grown in Assam which contributes1.36 per cent of gross cropped area. It’s intriguing to know that while the overall gross cropped area has dropped in last decades the area under sugarcane is adding at the rate of1.08 per annum which is conceivably due to growing demand for molasses and sugarcane juice in megacity areas.
Switch over from sugarcane to tea cultivation is caused by high labour requirement in sugarcane cultivation, shortage of agricultural labour due to rapid urbanization and migration of labour to urban areas. However, rising demand for gur in village as well as city areas has prompted many sugarcane growers to revert back to sugarcane from tea cultivation resulting in marginal increase in sugarcane area.
Uses in Veterinary sector: Renowned as ‘medicinal sugar,’ jaggery finds applications in pharmaceutical formulations, benefiting digestion, liver cleansing, energy enhancement, blood purification, and even exhibiting anti-toxic and anti-carcinogenic properties. Its diverse uses extend to relieving tension, treating bronchial or lung infections, and alleviating pre-menstrual syndrome.
In veterinary medicine, jaggery serves multiple purposes:
1. Energy Source: Jaggery provides a readily available energy source for livestock, especially during periods of high activity or stress.
2. Digestive Aid: Its digestive properties can assist in maintaining gastrointestinal health in animals.
3. Nutrient Supplement: Jaggery’s nutrient-rich composition can supplement essential vitamins and minerals in animal diets, promoting overall health and vitality.
4. Palatability Enhancer: Adding jaggery to feed can enhance palatability, encouraging animals to consume their meals more readily.
5. Natural Medicinal Properties: Similar to its benefits for humans, jaggery’s medicinal properties may aid in addressing certain health issues in animals, such as digestive disorders or inflammatory conditions.
ADDITIONALLY,
Renowned as’ medicinal sugar,’ jaggery finds operations in pharmaceutical phrasings, serving digestion, liver sanctification, energy improvement, blood sanctification, and indeed flaunting anti-toxic andanti- carcinogenic parcels. Its different uses extend to relieving pressure, treating bronchial or lung infections, and easing pre-menstrual pattern.
In veterinary drug, jaggery serves multiple purposes .
1. Energy Source Jaggery provides a readily available energy source for beast, especially during ages of high exertion or stress.
2. Digestive Aid Its digestive parcels can help in maintaining gastrointestinal health in creatures.
3. Nutrient Supplement Jaggery’s nutrient-rich composition can condense essential vitamins and minerals in beast diets, promoting overall health and vitality.
4. Delectability Enhancer Adding jaggery to feed can enhance delectability, encouraging creatures to consume their refections more readily.
5. Natural Medicinal parcels analogous to its benefits for humans, jaggery’s medicinal parcels may prop in addressing certain health issues in creatures, similar as digestive diseases or seditious conditions.
Also, Liquid jaggery, traditionally known for its culinary operations, presents itself as a sustainable volition to molasses in beast feed. This protean product boasts a nutrient-rich composition and unique parcels that not only enhance the health and well- being of beast and flesh but also promote eco-friendly agrarian practices.
1. Mineral Content Liquid jaggery is rich in essential minerals like calcium, iron, and potassium, which contribute to better bone health and overall vitality in creatures.
2. Antioxidants The presence of antioxidants in liquid jaggery helps in reducing oxidative stress in creatures, thereby potentially boosting their vulnerable system and overall health.
3. Sustainability Produced from renewable coffers similar as sugarcane or palm off tire, liquid jaggery stands as a sustainable volition to molasses, which frequently stems from sugar refining processes.
4. Reduced Environmental Impact With smaller processing way involved in its product compared to molasses, liquid jaggery leaves a lower environmental footmark, making it a more environmentally friendly choice.
5. Flesh Feed Liquid jaggery can be incorporated into flesh feed to give cravens and other flesh with an energy boost, supporting egg product and growth while minimizing environmental impact.
6. Beast Lick Blocks It can also be employed to produce mineral- amended lick blocks, icing that creatures admit essential nutrients in a sustainable manner.
7. Turmoil Aid Liquid jaggery serves as a turmoil aid in beast feed product, aiding in the breakdown of complex carbohydrates while promoting sustainability.
Regarding entrepreneurship viewpoints and capabilities for jaggery and sugarcane farming in Assam:
1. Favorable Agro-climatic Conditions: Assam’s climate and soil conditions in districts like Karbi-Anglong, Nagaon, Dima Hasao, Sonitpur, and Golaghat provide ideal settings for sugarcane cultivation, promising high yields and quality production.
2. Increasing Demand: With a rising preference for natural and organic products, the demand for jaggery is on the ascent in both rural and urban areas of Assam, opening up lucrative opportunities for sugarcane farmers.
3. Versatility and Diverse Uses: Apart from jaggery production, sugarcane offers a range of uses, including white sugar, molasses, and biofuels, providing farmers with multiple income streams and enhancing economic viability.
4. Employment Generation: Sugarcane farming, being labor-intensive, generates employment opportunities in rural communities, thereby contributing to socio-economic development.
5. Government Support: With support from the government and agricultural agencies in the form of subsidies, technical assistance, and marketing support, sugarcane cultivation in Assam is poised for growth, ensuring a sustainable future for farmers and meeting the increasing demand for natural sweeteners.
Overall, the potentiality of sugarcane farming for jaggery yield in Assam is promising, driven by favourable agro-climatic conditions, increasing demand, high yield potential, diverse uses, employment generation, and government support. With proper planning, investment, and adoption of best practices, sugarcane cultivation can emerge as a profitable venture for farmers while meeting the growing demand for natural sweeteners.
Acknowledgement:
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Biju Borah, PhD assistant professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education , Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science for providing me with the invaluable opportunity to publish this article.
References:
https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/91/1/320
https://images.app.goo.gl/uS7wagjsDZqSKgYRA
Written by:
Dhruv Raj Kemprai
3rd professional year student (B.V.Sc & A.H)
Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science
Joyhing, North Lakhimpur, 787051