Cardamom area grows, output falls

By Chandra Pandak,Taplejung, Jan. 2: The area under cardamom cultivation has increased in Taplejung district this year, even as overall production has declined, according to official data. 

Cardamom, the district’s main cash crop, has seen an expansion in cultivated land, but adverse weather conditions have led to reduced output.

Often referred to as the ‘black gold of the ravines’, cardamom production this year has fallen by 248 metric tonnes compared to last year. 

Data from the Agricultural Knowledge Centre, Taplejung, show that the district produced 2,291 metric tonnes of cardamom this year, down from 2,539 metric tonnes in the previous year.

Crop development officer at the Agricultural Knowledge Centre, Muna Neupane, said that while production has decreased, the cultivated area has increased. 

According to her, cardamom was produced in a total cultivated area of 4,578 hectares this year. In the previous year, 2,539 metric tonnes of cardamom had been produced from 4,304 hectares. 

Neupane attributed the decline in production to unfavourable weather conditions, particularly prolonged drought, which caused cardamom plants and flowers to dry up.

She added that the cultivated area has expanded in recent years as farmers have started planting new saplings and expanding existing orchards. Encouraged by favourable market prices, more farmers are being attracted to cardamom cultivation.

Cardamom is cultivated in all 61 wards of nine local levels, except ward No. 7 of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality, 

Farmers in Taplejung grow several varieties of cardamom, including Ramsai, Chivesai, Golsai, Dambarsai and Bharlang.

In recent years, the price of cardamom has steadily increased. This year, ordinary cardamom was traded at up to Rs. 102,000 per man (40 kilograms).  

Recently, the cardamon prices have slightly declined, with cardamom currently selling at around Rs. 96,000 per 40 kg in the local market.

Even at the current market rate, the value of cardamom produced in Taplejung this year is estimated at around Rs. 5.49 billion.