Traders Flock to Doti Farms for Ginger Procurement

Doti: Traders have descended upon the ginger fields of Doti, eager to purchase the sought-after crop directly from farmers. Notably, traders from Jhapa have ventured to the farm of Upendra Malla in Badikedar Rural Municipality-3 of the district, where Malla is offering 60 quintals of ginger for sale.

Benefitting from improved road infrastructure and a steady rise in ginger cultivation, traders are actively engaging with farmers who have embraced commercial ginger farming in agricultural hubs like Doti.

Expressing the burgeoning demand, Malla, a seasoned ginger farmer, revealed, "Traders come from Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Jhapa, and even neighboring Indian regions to procure ginger directly from our farms."

Doti, particularly Badikedar Rural Municipality, stands out as a prime ginger-producing region. Additionally, ginger cultivation thrives in Bogtan Foodsil Rural Municipality and Zorayal Rural Municipality, where farmers prioritize organic practices, eschewing chemical fertilizers.

Pushkar Bohara, a local ginger farmer from Bogtan Foodsil Rural Municipality-2, emphasized, "Although chemical fertilizers may not always be readily available, consumers perceive our ginger as organic, as we strictly adhere to organic farming methods."

Ginger's popularity stems from its quality and organic cultivation practices. Pushkar Joshi, a ginger trader based in Dhangadhi, praised Doti's ginger for its organic integrity, noting its high demand in markets spanning from Dhangadhi to various parts of Nepal and even India.

The conducive environment for ginger farming in Doti, including efficient transport systems and market accessibility, has spurred local farmers to pursue ginger cultivation as a lucrative profession. Gangadat Awasthi, acting head of Krishi Gyan Kendra Doti, reported a consistent increase in ginger production, with 13,246 metric tons harvested in 850 hectares of land during the fiscal year 2079/80.

Despite the rising production, challenges persist, particularly in storage infrastructure. Farmers are compelled to sell immediately post-harvest due to inadequate storage facilities, hindering their ability to leverage better prices during off-season periods. However, efforts are underway to address this issue and enhance storage capacity to optimize market opportunities for Doti's ginger farmers.