Jaggery Production and Sugarcane Cultivation of Shivamogga

Shivamogga district in the Malnad (hill country) transition zone of Karnataka combines the wet western slopes with the drier eastern plateau, supporting sugarcane cultivation in its river valleys. The Bhadra river basin's alluvial soil is particularly suited to sugarcane, with farmers harvesting the cane after 12–14 months and processing it in bullock-driven or motor-powered crushers called ganas. The extracted juice is clarified with lime and bark ash, then boiled in large iron pans until it solidifies into jaggery blocks. Shivamogga's traditional jaggery (bella) has a distinctive flavour from the mineral-rich Malnad water. Community jaggery cooperatives sell the product to Ayurvedic manufacturers, sweet makers, and urban health food consumers who prefer unrefined sugar.