Jhapa. Cardamom, a cash crop in the eastern hills known as the ‘gold of kholsa’, has received high prices in the early season of production.

According to Anil Dhungana, executive director of Federation of Nepal Cardamom Entrepreneurs, cardamom was traded at Rs 94,000 per kg in Birtamode, the largest market in Nepal.

“This is a very good price,” he said, adding, “Last year, cardamom was traded at Rs 40,000 per person in the current season.” This price of cardamom is considered to be the highest in the last seven years.

The price of cardamom was Rs 105,000 per month this season. In November of the same year, the price had increased further to Rs 107,000 per person.

Cardamom was traded at Rs 120,000 per person in 2067 BS. Cardamom has never been traded at a price higher than that. According to him, the high price in August-September is an indication that it will increase further in November-December.

The farmers who have been producing cardamom are going to be directly benefited by the increased prices. The farmers are excited when the price of cardamom is high at the time of selling it. The traders have been making a lot of profit by storing the cardamom purchased from the farmers at this time and selling it after the price goes up in November-December.

“Farmers have invested a maximum of Rs 20,000 to produce cardamom,” said Dhungana, executive director of the Federation. This time, the price of cardamom is likely to increase further. ’

Cardamom is cultivated in 42 districts of Nepal. However, it is produced more in Panchthar, Taplejung, Ilam, Sankhuwasabha, Khotang, Bhojpur and Terhathum.

Cardamom is cultivated on more than 7,500 hectares of land in Koshi Province. According to mechi customs office, cardamom worth Rs 7.67 billion was exported to India through Kakarvitta border point in the fiscal year 2081/82 BS.

90 percent of cardamom produced in Nepal is exported. Cardamom is transported from Nepal to India. From there, cardamom is ‘branded’ and transported to the global market. Nepali cardamom does not have direct access to the global market.