Ginger worth millions being exported to India

Published On: February 5, 2018 07:12 AM NPT By: BHAGISHWAR LIMBU

This undated photo shows trucks loaded with ginger parked outside Kakarbhitta customs office. Photo: Republica Files

TERHATHUM, Feb 5: Ginger worth tens of millions of rupees is being supplied out of the district after India lifted ban on import of this agro produce.

Truckloads of ginger, which were being stored in warehouse of traders and farmers for about a month, are moving out of the district, local traders say. They added that India lifted ban on import of Nepali ginger following the recent Nepal visit of Indian External Minister Sushma Swaraj.

“Ginger worth tons of millions has been exported to India over the past week. This has brought cheers on the face of farmers are traders who were staring at huge losses due to the Indian government's decision to stop import of Nepali gingers,” Amrit Ninglekhu of Singhabahini Cardamom, Ginger and Medicinal Herbs Collection Centre told Republica. He, however, added that some farmers were still facing big loss as big traders were refusing to buy their produce saying that their ginger was small and laden with excess clay. “Big wholesalers are offering farmers very low price, stating that their produce is of inferior quality,” added Ninglekhu.

Fedap Rural Municipality area is the pocket area for ginger farming in the district. However, farmers here are also not getting appropriate price for this cash crop. Some farmers have started looking for alternatives to ginger farming, said Tulsi Koirala, a ginger farmer. “We tried to lobby for appropriate price by forming Shivaji Ginger Farmer Group at Jaljale. But we have not been able to get good price despite healthy growth in production,” he added.

Price of ginger in the local market hovers around Rs 20 per kg.

Terhathum has seen a surge in ginger production this year. Production of ginger jumped to 3,952 tons from last year's 3,286 metric tons. Ginger is cultivated in 260 hectares of land in the district.

Though India is a primary market for Nepali ginger, the southern neighbor has been creating hindrances in import time and again. Apart from uncertainty in exports, massive fluctuation in price is also costing farmers dear. Realizing the fact, local farmers have requested the local government to decide the price of ginger and other commodities.

According to District Police Office, large number of trucks carrying ginger from different parts of the district area heading toward Kakarbhitta through which ginger is exported to India.