Hetauda, October 9:

Women of Churiyamai Village Development Committee (VDC), Hetauda are being able to

support their families through ginger farming.

Ginger is the main source of income that is supporting children’s education in the area. A group of 18 women of the VDC has begun collective ginger farming, after taking three katthas of land on lease from a landowner.

Sita Ghising of Churiyamai VDC said, “Extra expense is required for children’s education. Ginger has been the prime source of income to support my family.”

Makawanpur-based Federation of Nepal Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) has provided Rs 25,000 as loan to mothers of child labourers to begin ginger farming in different groups.

“We have already sold ginger worth Rs 6,000. The production of ginger has been quite satisfactory for us,” said Sanumaya Tamang, president of the group.

Women are happy with ginger production. They are optimistic of earning more money to support their families by this occupation. “At first, we will pay back the loan of Rs 25,000 to FNCCI. We will also gave some amount to the landowner. After that, we will share our income,” they said.

“FNCCI is assisting poor women in rural areas to raise their status. FNCCI’s programme will also be focused to rescue child labourers of the district,” said Pradhumna Upadhyaya, programme coordinator of FNCCI. He added, “We have initiated such programmes in different places to raise the condition of poor people.”

Surmising that about 15 quintals of ginger will be produced on 15 katthas of lands, president Sanumaya of the group said, “According to the present market price, we are going to earn Rs 60,000 as a profit.”

Not only in Churiyamai VDC but also women in Padampokhari and Basamadi VDCs are lured to collective ginger farming. The climate and soil of Makawanpur district are regarded as best for ginger farming.

District-based different NGOs are supporting financially as well as technically poor women in rural areas to begin ginger farming.