Cardamom production starting to decline

KATHMANDU, July 27: Cardamom production is falling with every passing year, despite studies showing that farmers get a return of Rs 10 for investment of every rupee in cardamom farming.

A study titled 'Trade Flow Analysis of Black Cardamom in Eastern Region' commissioned by the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD), shows farmers are getting better returns in cardamom farming due to soaring price in the international market.Black cardamom production stood at 6,029 tons in 2011/12. But it fell to 5,241 tons in 2013/14. The cash crop is one of the 19 products included in National Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) list.

"Farmers are getting good price for black cardamom because of high demand in the market," Arun GC, section officer of MoAD. "Export of black cardamom is increasing because of external factor -- soaring price in international market."

GC also said Nepali farmers sell raw cardamom, without packaging and branding. "Local farmers can get even better price if they sell processed product after packaging and giving them a distinct brand identity," added GC.

Mohan Bahadur Thapa, consultant for the study, said they do not know who consumes Nepali black cardamoms. Most of the black cardamoms produced in the country are exported to international markets. Ilam, Taplejung, Panchthar and Sankhuwasabha are the pocket areas for cardamom farming. Farmers of Terhathum, Dhankuta, Khotang, Bhojpur and Dhankuta also produce sizeable quantity of black cardamoms. Black cardamom farming is done in 42 out of 75 districts.

Thapa also said frequent pest attacks have affected production of black cardamom in recent years.

"The government should help local farmers to produce healthy saplings through tissue culture technology," Thapa said, adding that farmers should treat soil every two or three years for better production.

The study shows that production is on the rise in districts which started cardamom farming in recent years. Officials say though black cardamom was selected in NTIS list 2010, the government failed to introduce plans and programs to promote this cash crop.

The government is in the process of reviewing NTIS. It has not said whether or not black cardamom will feature in the list.

Related story

Farmers worried as cardamom prices fall