So what if the Manapparai murukku is in the list of 24 unique products of the State, awaiting Geographical Indication (GI) tag? The murukku makers in the town, located on the Tiruchi-Dindigul highway, would rather talk about surviving inflation than getting the tag.
The crunchy, bite-sized delicacy, usually made with a hand-mixed rice flour dough seasoned with whole and powdered spices, is a popular enterprise here. Right now, however, no one knows for how long survival will be possible.
Many among the murukku makers stare at the ignominy of being edged out of the trade. The impact on the food sector caused by Indonesia’s ban on palm oil exports until a week ago due to domestic shortage, was felt rather strongly in Manapparai, where it is in great demand. The reverberations are still being felt.
