Lamjung, November 18

Cardamom farmers in Lamjung are now busy grading the spice before it is sent to the market. Farmers sell cardamoms after drying them.

Federation of Cardamom Entrepreneurs Gandaki Province Chairman Ajaya Tamang said farmers have been more focused on producing quality cardamoms as there is demand of quality product in the international market.

He added farmers began grading the spice with the aim of introducing quality product that would be sold quickly. Cardamoms produced in Lamjung have been supplied to Birtamod of Jhapa, from where it reaches India and finally to the international market.

Prime Minister Agriculture Modernisation Project Cardamom Zone Chief Inswori Prasad Neupane said cardamom production in Lamjung would increase this year compared to the last year. He added 750 quintal cardamom was produced last year. Neupane said the spice was cultivated in 1,200 hector land in Lamjung. He added farmers were worried as the price of cardamom was declining.

According to Nepal Cardamom Entrepreneurs Association, the current price of cardamom ranges from Rs 28,000 to Rs 30,000 per 40 kg.