By Randima Attygalle
kithul treacle and hakuru mul (jaggery) awaiting their prospective partners – curd, yoghurt, crispy toasts, fruits and inguru plain tea (ginger tea) emanated a rich aroma whilst their ‘creators’ exhibiting true Sri Lankan hospitality complemented with a smile, generously offered free bites of kithul hakuru and drippings of kithul pani or treacle for those who patronised Kithulaka Waruna at its grand opening few days back amidst the festive resonance of traditional raban.
Over 30 stalls showcased an interesting variety of kithul products ranging from treacle, jaggery, kithul piti, sweet meats, furniture and an assortment of artifacts, tempting any visitor to take at least a hakuru mula to taste the kiribath with on avurudu day which is around the corner. Demonstrations of special kithul-associated recipes and a variety of New Year delicacies available were ideal for any cook with a passion for experiment in this New Year season…

Quality and craftsmanship
Supremacy of quality was apparent in all edibles of kithul brought all the way to city dwellers from all corners of the country, whilst intricacy of Sri Lankan craftsmanship reflected in all artifacts made of kithul wood and kithul fibre. Affordably priced, all products showcased at Kithulaka Waruna held testimony of a commercially viable, environment-friendly national industry which truly deserve patronage. Apart from satisfying taste buds with kithul edibles, the exhibition was also a treasure of information about the history, commercial impact, health and nutritional value of this unique industry, of which little is known by the average citizen.

Commercially viable industry
Botanically termed Caryota urens, kithul is referred to in many historical records including Ummagga Jathaka, Khumba Jaathaka Atuwawa and Niganu Teekawa. It is also believed that kithul leaves symbolised war victory during the reigns of local kings. Kithul delicacies have also embellished the Royal banquets while history holds account of the famine of 1830 during which kithul piti or kithul flour was consumed in large quantities.
Lucrative and rich in commercial value, kithul products, predominantly treacle and jaggery are gradually being exposed to the foreign market with increasing state patronage extended towards this much loved traditional sweetener.

Thriving in tropical regions, particularly in the Asian sub-continents, kithul is a unique tree with each of its parts being exploited for a productive venture including food and beverages, furniture, agricultural pursuits and artefacts. According to the national survey conducted in 2009, the totality of kithul trees found in the island amounts to 2,894,174 (largely spread in Ratnapura, Kandy and Badulla Districts) while matured or peedunu trees out of which sap is extracted (mal madina) amounts to only 16%. “This percentage is not proportionate to the total cultivation of kithul in the country, thus requiring more and more state patronage to promote this highly lucrative local industry,” explained Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Industries and Self-employment Promotion K.R. Samarasingha elaborating on the main objective of organising a national venture such as Kithulaka Waruna.

Strengthening rural economy
With the aim of boosting the kithul industry of high potential, which sadly at present remains a rural-level cottage industry, National Programme for the Development of kithul Products was launched recently comprising personnel representing various state and private forums, rendering their expertise. According to Samarasingha, the prime objective of this programme is to give a facelift to the traditional kithul industry thereby strengthening the rural economy with increased youth participation. “Recent research reveals that a minimum profit of Rs. 10,000 per month can be reaped by various products borne of one matured kithul tree and this figure multiplied by nearly 90,000 trees spread all over the island can contribute enormously to strengthen the rural economy,” cited Samarasingha who further views the kithul industry as a productive means of self-employment which should be promoted among the young generation.

Potential market
A notable drop in the rural community participation in the kithul industry is perceived according to Samarasingha who cites, “many are ignorant of the fact that no permits are required for treacle and jaggery production as apposed to toddy derived of kithul. There are absolutely no legal restraints as far as treacle and jaggery production is concerned, thus through ventures such as this kithul exhibition and fair, we attempt to promote the commercial value of this industry.”

Despite a substantial spread of kithul cultivation in the island, there is still a significant dearth of kithul products entering the local market, specially in the suburbs of Colombo. “Through national scale exhibitions of this nature, we aim to create a potential market for the industry,” explained Samarasingha whose words were justified by Nihal Somaweera, Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Industries and Self-employment Promotion who commented about creating new foreign hubs for kithul products. “We have already got few exporters who have found Japan to be a lucrative market and even Malaysia has shown positive signs. By allotting a special HS code number to kithul products in near future, we hope to obtain a sound market for them,” said Somaweera who further said that apart from commercial bodies, even health forums such as National Diabetes Association has been approached to enlighten the masses on the health value of food and beverages prepared out of kithul, ideal for maintaining the correct blood-glucose levels.

The launch of six pilot projects in Passara, Imbulpe, Bulathsinhala, Hatharaliyedda, Madulla and Thawalama last year is an ambitious step taken by the National Programme for the Development of kithul Products as means of promoting the industry and several similar ventures and research projects are underway to sustain kithul cultivation in the country. According to Samarasingha an insurance scheme for kithul tappers is also in pipeline in order to make this commercially viable industry a secured one with enhanced youth participation.

Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2010 @ 20:09:31 JST by admin