Production and Marketing of Ginger: A Case Study in Salyan District, Nepal

Abstract

Ginger is an important spice crop grown in the mid-hills of Nepal for cash income. 60 ginger producers were sampled using a simple random sampling technique. Primary data collection was done via questionnaire survey as well as via focus group discussion (FGD), key informant interview (KII) and rapid market appraisal (RMA). The collected data was analyzed using MS Excel and SPSS. Average area under ginger cultivation was 0.13 ha. Average cost of production and the productivity of ginger was NRs. 4,20,000/ha and 14.44 ton/ha respectively. The average selling price of fresh ginger was NRs. 29.34 whereas average selling price of dried ginger was NRs. 201.42. The Benefit Cost ratio of ginger production in the study area was 1.53. The major production related problem could be solved by making consulting services and input supplies more reliable and readily available. Development of the market information system may help in decreasing the dependency of farmers on middlemen. Establishment of farmer-run collection and processing centers in strategic levels could be a sustainable way to address various problems related to marketing of ginger in the study area.