Ilam farmers shift to commercial cardamom farming for higher profits

Farmers in Mangsebung Rural Municipality, Ilam, are shifting from traditional crops to commercial cardamom farming. The move comes as cardamom requires less effort and investment while yielding significant profits. As a result, fields previously used for rice and kitchen gardens are now being rapidly converted to cardamom plantations.

Previously limited to moist hillsides and riverbanks, cardamom farming has now adopted modern methods, significantly improving the living standards of local farmers. This year, the price of cardamom has reached Rs 100,000 per 40 kg, further boosting farmers’ enthusiasm.

Krishna Budhathoki, a farmer from Simle, Mangsebung-3, earned Rs 1.7 million this year by cultivating the Jirmale variety of cardamom on 23 ropani of land. Encouraged by good market prices, he abandoned plans to work abroad and focused on commercial farming at home.

Similarly, Ganesh Limbu from Mangsebung-2 earned over Rs 1.6 million by cultivating the Ramshahi and Golshahi varieties on 25 ropani. Traders come directly to the farmers’ homes to purchase cardamom, and with easy transportation access, farmers face no market issues. The lack of labor for traditional farming and the threat of crops being destroyed by monkeys have also pushed farmers towards cardamom.

Cardamom thrives even on neglected, moist, sloping, and less fertile land. It is suitable for hilly areas at altitudes of 600 to 2100 meters above sea level and temperatures between 10 to 30 degrees Celsius. Once planted, this perennial crop can produce for 20 to 25 years and requires 2000 to 2500 millimeters of annual rainfall. Known for its medicinal properties, cardamom is believed to clear the voice, cure tonsillitis, calm the mind, and strengthen the liver and heart.

Regular consumption of cardamom peel powder is also believed to improve digestion and blood circulation, potentially curing kidney diseases. To further promote commercial cardamom farming, Mangsebung Rural Municipality has allocated Rs 150,000 this year to distribute 16,000 saplings to farmers, covering 50% of the cost.

According to Pratik Sunuwar, head of the municipality’s agriculture development branch, saplings of the Ramshahi, Golshahi, and Bharlange varieties are being provided based on demand. Rural Municipality Chair Hemant Rai stated that agriculture is a top priority in their policies and programs, pledging to continue effective initiatives to encourage farmers in the future.