JHAPA: Koshi Province has witnessed a significant production of cash crops such as tea leaves, cardamom, ginger and amliso.
According to the Kakarbhitta Plant Quarantine Office, 4,331 metric tonnes of tea leaves, valued at around Rs 2.6 billion, were exported to India through the east Kakarbhitta point in the first three months of the current fiscal year 2023/24.
It may be noted that Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar and Dhanukuta are known as focal areas for tea production in eastern Nepal. There is a surge in demand for organic tea produced in Nepal in the European market.
Moreover, black cardamom, ginger, and amliso from the eastern hilly districts are exported to India via the Kakarbhitta point. Data shows that in the period of three months, the export of black cardamom amounted to approximately Rs 1.21 billion, with a quantity of 1,510 metric tonnes. Black cardamom is specially cultivated in loamy soils found in Ilam, Panchthar, Tehrathum, Dhankuta, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, and Khotang districts. It has a high market value.
Kakarvitta Plant Quarantine Office recorded the export of 1,793 metric tonnes of ginger, equivalent to Rs 230 million during the same period. Prior to export, ginger undergoes processing in Jhapa and Ilam districts to ensure its quality.
In addition to these, there is a significant demand for amliso in India and Bangladesh. According to Chandeshwor Thakur, the information officer at the Plant Quarantine Office, 2,417 metric tonnes of broom grass worth Rs 290 million was exported, in the first three months of the current fiscal. This plant is primarily cultivated in the steep hills of Nepal.
