Large Cardamom is coming back to its bright days again in Sikkim
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NOVEMBER 2012: After a decade long gloomy spell, the bright days are back for Sikkim's Large Cardamom. The state, considered as Large Cardamom epicenter of the world, is expecting high growth in auction sales of this aromatic spice in 2012-13.
"The glory is coming back after decade long low yield, low quality and low price spell. We expect over 100% growth in sales this year over last year figures. We had a sale of 4 Metric Ton(MT) in 2010-11, the first year of organized sales of large cardamom through open auction. That went up to 16MT in 11-12. This year, this is expected to be around 40 Metric ton. Against Rs 1100/kg average price of last two years, it is expected to reach Rs 1300/kg. Beginning by mid November, the fortnightly auctions will be conducted till June 2012," said Mr P C Roy senior zonal manager Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Cooperation (NERAMAC), an agency under administrative control of GoI's Department of North East Region. NERAMAC operates the only Large Cardamom auction center of India at Rangpo in Sikkim.
Beside 6 available wild varieties, Amomum subulatumis the main traditionally cultured species in Sikkim, the epicenter of India's Large Cardamom arena that produces around 80% of national annual yield. Remaining 20% comes from Darjeeling hills and North East Region. India is the world leader by producing over 50% of global yield.
Beside consuming 1500 to 1800 MT, India is an important exporter of this cash crop mainly to Pakistan, Singapore or Middle East where Sikkim's large Cardamom is the preferred choice due to its distinctive aroma and colour.
But, unorganized import of so called 'high yield' varieties from Bhutan to replace traditionally cultivated varieties at the beginning of last decade imported a wide spread viral disease that had put the cash crop under deep uncertainty for long. Government attention came only after the yield touched rock bottom.
Though the scenario has started changing, lion's share of Sikkim's total yield of around 3200MT is still produced and sold without organized monitoring keeping the risk of similar chaos again alive. Accepting this Mr Roy said, "We are confident to have an entire different view of the picture by next couple of years."
"The glory is coming back after decade long low yield, low quality and low price spell. We expect over 100% growth in sales this year over last year figures. We had a sale of 4 Metric Ton(MT) in 2010-11, the first year of organized sales of large cardamom through open auction. That went up to 16MT in 11-12. This year, this is expected to be around 40 Metric ton. Against Rs 1100/kg average price of last two years, it is expected to reach Rs 1300/kg. Beginning by mid November, the fortnightly auctions will be conducted till June 2012," said Mr P C Roy senior zonal manager Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Cooperation (NERAMAC), an agency under administrative control of GoI's Department of North East Region. NERAMAC operates the only Large Cardamom auction center of India at Rangpo in Sikkim.
Beside 6 available wild varieties, Amomum subulatumis the main traditionally cultured species in Sikkim, the epicenter of India's Large Cardamom arena that produces around 80% of national annual yield. Remaining 20% comes from Darjeeling hills and North East Region. India is the world leader by producing over 50% of global yield.
Beside consuming 1500 to 1800 MT, India is an important exporter of this cash crop mainly to Pakistan, Singapore or Middle East where Sikkim's large Cardamom is the preferred choice due to its distinctive aroma and colour.
But, unorganized import of so called 'high yield' varieties from Bhutan to replace traditionally cultivated varieties at the beginning of last decade imported a wide spread viral disease that had put the cash crop under deep uncertainty for long. Government attention came only after the yield touched rock bottom.
Though the scenario has started changing, lion's share of Sikkim's total yield of around 3200MT is still produced and sold without organized monitoring keeping the risk of similar chaos again alive. Accepting this Mr Roy said, "We are confident to have an entire different view of the picture by next couple of years."
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