And Chhaharee's Healthy Jaggery Reached the Kitchen

This is, above all, the story of jaggery. Along with jaggery, it is also a story of trust—and of the dreams of nearly a dozen young people who chose to build their future on that trust. Although several characters appear throughout this journey, the two central protagonists are farmers Jang Bahadur and Madhav Dhungel. They are the first and foremost people to whom Chhaharee Farm, and everyone who enjoys this healthy jaggery, owes its deepest gratitude. With heartfelt thanks to these two farmers from Sarlahi, let us begin the story of our sweet jaggery.  

Jaggery, made by boiling freshly extracted sugarcane juice until it solidifies, is a natural, pure, and nutritious food. Because it undergoes minimal processing from the sugarcane field to the market, it retains many of the cane's natural minerals, making it a healthier alternative to refined sugar. In Ayurveda, jaggery is regarded not only as a food but also as a "Yogavahi"—a substance that enhances the effectiveness of medicines and helps deliver their benefits throughout the body's tissues. Thus, jaggery is more than just a source of sweetness; it is also valued as a medicinal food.

For farmers, every harvest is more than a crop. It is a journey of hope, uncertainty, patience, hardship, and joy—much like the profound emotions a mother experiences after childbirth. When Madhav Dhungel and his fellow members of the Prakritik Krishi Tatha Jadibuti Cooperative planted sugarcane, they shared a simple yet meaningful dream: to grow it through natural, chemical-free farming and bring healthy, pesticide-free jaggery to the kitchens of ordinary people.

The story of the sugarcane grown in Sarlahi is much the same. Farmer Jang Bahadur, known for constantly experimenting with new ideas, is active not only in social and political work but also deeply committed to agriculture. At one time he encouraged farmers across his village to cultivate yam; at another, he introduced a new variety of sweet potato and freely shared its planting materials with fellow farmers. His garden is a remarkable blend of crops ranging from black turmeric to dragon fruit.

Convinced through his own experience that healthy crops could be grown without chemical fertilizers, Jang Bahadur often exchanged ideas and farming experiences with fellow natural farmer Madhav Dhungel. One evening, while meeting at Karki Tea Shop in Solti Bazaar, Jang Bahadur said, “Our chemical-free and pesticide-free produce is excellent, but nobody believes it. Look at this sugarcane—we used Jeevamrit, and it has grown beautifully. Yet we still have to sell it to the sugar mill for the same price as conventionally grown cane. What's the benefit?”

Madhav placed his teacup on the table, smiled, and replied, “Then why don't we make jaggery and sell it ourselves?”

As Jang Bahadur looked over his glasses, about to respond, Madhav continued, “There's a group of young people at Chhaharee Farm who have also grown sugarcane naturally. They're planning to produce jaggery this winter. Perhaps we can include your harvest as well. Let me talk to them.”

Finishing his tea and preparing a pinch of chewing tobacco, Jang Bahadur nodded and said, “Alright, let's see what can be done.”

That simple conversation brought the young team of Chhaharee Farm into the journey, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort to produce naturally grown, healthy jaggery.

The remarkable qualities of jaggery are extensively described in classical Ayurvedic texts such as the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Raja Nighantu, and Dhanvantari Nighantu. Revered in religious scriptures as a pure and sacred food, jaggery holds deep cultural and social significance. Beyond being a traditional sweetener and a natural alternative to refined sugar, it is also valued for its many health benefits.

A Different Approach to Entrepreneurship

When Chhaharee Farm decided to produce and market healthy jaggery from the naturally grown, chemical- and pesticide-free sugarcane cultivated by the Prakritik Krishi Tatha Jadibuti Cooperative, it also invited farmer Jang Bahadur, who followed the same farming principles, to become part of the initiative.

Rather than simply purchasing his sugarcane, Chhaharee offered Jang Bahadur two options: he could either sell his harvest at a premium price or become a partner in the production and marketing of the jaggery. Following his preference, Chhaharee paid him for part of his sugarcane while the remaining value was treated as his investment in the enterprise. As a result, he not only received a better price for his produce but also earned a share of the profits generated from the sale of the finished product.

With its very first batch of jaggery, Chhaharee Farm introduced a fair and innovative business model—one that rewards farmers not only for what they produce but also by giving them a stake in the value they help create.

Jaggery has long been valued in traditional medicine as a wholesome food that supports digestion. According to Ayurvedic tradition, it is believed to help purify the blood, support healthy metabolism, and relieve digestive discomfort such as gastric problems. As a natural source of iron, jaggery is often recommended as part of a balanced diet for people with iron deficiency, particularly women. It is also traditionally believed to promote healthy skin by helping remove impurities from the body. During the colder months, jaggery is commonly consumed with tea to help keep the body warm and is often used as a natural remedy for colds and coughs. It is also traditionally consumed to restore energy, regulate body temperature, reduce allergy symptoms, and support people with respiratory conditions such as asthma. In many households, a small piece of jaggery eaten daily with ginger is regarded as a traditional remedy for easing joint pain.

Although the workers at Laxmi Sugarcane Crusher were initially uncertain about our requests, they gladly cooperated and paid close attention to cleanliness throughout the production process. Adopting these improved practices required additional labor and increased production costs compared to their usual methods, but ensuring quality and hygiene remained our priority. The sugarcane was first thoroughly cleaned before crushing. The extracted juice was filtered through a fine mesh, then carefully heated and slowly cooked. Once the jaggery reached the desired consistency, it was stirred briefly before being poured into handcrafted earthen pots. Each pot was sealed with paper and jute fabric and tied securely with natural jute twine.

Because every clay pot was handmade and the jaggery was traditionally filled by hand, the weight of each container varied slightly. Every pot was therefore weighed individually, priced accordingly, packed into cartons, and prepared for distribution. Chhaharee Farm expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Laxmi Dai, his family, the workers at the sugarcane crusher, the artisans who crafted the earthen pots, the carton makers, and every member of the Chhaharee team whose dedication, skill, and hard work made this product possible.

With its very first production of healthy jaggery, Chhaharee Farm has already taken an important step toward building a circular green economy—one that creates value for farmers, traditional artisans, local enterprises, and consumers alike. We believe this collaborative model offers a meaningful alternative to today's conventional marketplace.

"Jaggery is an excellent natural food that helps purify the blood and stimulates the digestive system. It is far healthier and more nutritious than refined sugar."
— Dr. Vasant Lad

Through the collective efforts of Chhaharee Farm, local farmers, traditional potters, carton makers, and the workers at the sugarcane crusher, our healthy jaggery reached Nepal's capital during the first week of the month of Magh. At present, our production remains limited, and transportation constraints make it difficult to supply markets outside Kathmandu. However, we are committed to expanding our reach in the years ahead.

The love, encouragement, and positive feedback we have received from everyone who has tasted Chhaharee's jaggery have deeply inspired our farmers and strengthened our commitment to this journey. Chhaharee Farm sincerely appreciates every suggestion and every expression of support.

Finally, by choosing Chhaharee's healthy jaggery, you are not only investing in your family's well-being, but also supporting farmers who practice environmentally friendly, natural agriculture and helping preserve the livelihoods of traditional artisans, including the potters whose craftsmanship is an essential part of this story.