Surkhet. In the fiscal year 2081/82 BS, 365 metric tons of dried ginger and turmeric were exported from Karnali to European countries.

Purna Bahadur Thapa, agriculture officer at the State Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives, said that high quality ginger and turmeric have been dried and certified according to international standards and exported to Germany.

According to Thapa, ginger and turmeric produced in Salyan, Rukum West and eastern region of Surkhet have been collected by ‘The Organic Valley’ located in Chhinchu of Surkhet and exported to Germany and other countries.

The company is also exporting other organic products like corn flour, lentils, beans, ghee and sisnu dust abroad after certification. According to the Ministry, rs 18.47 billion has been allocated for the agriculture sector since its inception, out of which Rs 14 billion has already been invested.

According to the Ministry, 747 projects have been constructed under the title of minor irrigation construction and maintenance in the fiscal year 2081/82 BS. In the last one year, 4,044 apple saplings have been planted in 19 hectares and 2,824 walnut saplings in 25 hectares.

A total of 20,100 oranges, 15,400 lemons, 2,000 walnuts and 1,000 apple saplings have been planted. A total of 10,000 apples, 1,950 walnuts, 3,270 oranges and 2,000 litchi saplings have been planted under the food security programme.

Under the Food Security and Agriculture Extension Program, 21 quintals of improved varieties of paddy have been included. A total of 21.29 metric tonnes of vegetable seeds were certified that year.