PANCHATHAR, Sept 1: Indian decision to put a ban on ginger import from Nepal has left local farmers and traders high and dry.
They do not know what to do with the market ready cash crop. Farmers, who are yet to harvest ginger, are more worried.
India imposed a ban on ginger imports from Nepal, stating that the farm product has high pesticide residue and that Chinese ginger was being exported to India in the name of Nepali ginger.
Traders smuggling Chinese ginger into India
High demand and good price had encouraged many farmers in this hilly district to start commercial farming. But the unexpected move by the southern neighbor has left the farmers disheartened.
Ginger production in the country is far more than the domestic demand.
Birendra Kafle, a farmer of Nagi VDC, fears he will lose thousands of rupees. "The unexpected ban has come at a time when local farmers have taken up ginger farming as a campaign as the crop is fetching good price," Kafle said, adding that farmers have no way out.
Local farmers, who have embraced latest technology in farming, are better yields this year.
“Buying and selling of ginger in the local market has come to a grinding halt following news of import ban by India,” Narayan Koirala, a trader, said. He further added that huge volume of ginger collected from farmers is yet to be supplied to exporters. Ginger was last traded in the local market at Rs 3,000 per 40 kg on Tuesday.
Benu Prasad Prasai, senior agricultural officer, said farmers will have to face huge loss because of the decision. “Coming days look bleak for a large number of ginger farmers,” added Prasai. Ginger farming is done in 565 hectare in the district.
