Geologist turns jaggery-maker to give jobs locally

Davanagere: A globe-trotting geolosit turns a jaggery manufacturer, and enjoys sweet success in the latest profession too. Meet Niranjan Murthy Doggalli, an MSc (geology) from Kuvempu University, who carves a niche in all that he does.
The geologist, after having worked at various mining companies in Indonesia, Philippines, Iran, Congo, Zambia and Nigeria for over a decade, returned to Kariganur village, his hometown in Channagiri taluk of Davanagere district. The 39-year-old set up an organic jaggery plant by investing Rs 60 lakh to give rural economy a push by providing jobs to locals.
Though he was earning well as a geologist, he came back to his native to start an industry of his choice. Prior to that, he and a team of youth from Kariganur visited Belagavi to gain experience in jaggery-making.
“State Canegrowers’ Federation chairman Tejashwi Patel influenced me to take this up,” Niranjan said, adding that he is supported by his family in running the machinised plant. His wife Vimala, an MSc (computers), his parents and 30 labourers have divided among themselves tasks like harvesting, processing, packing, machinery maintenance and marketing. Besides growing organic surgarcane on 16acres land, Niranjan keeps encouraging other farmers to grow only organic cane. He also buys their harvest.
At a time, two tonnes of cane is crushed in a crucible to get 1,000 litres of juice, using which 200kg of jaggery is produced. The jaggery is made in different types — powder, golis, pellets and bucket type. “As part of value addition, we also make ‘maaldi’, a nutrition-rick snack. Many people are switching to organic products to boost their immunity,” he said, adding: “Our jaggery has good demand in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Chikkamagaluru, Udupi, Shivamogga, Haveri, Hubballi and Davanagere. What’s more, we also give nine-month guarantee (shelf life) to our powder/ granule-type jaggery.”