Dr. L. Daiho
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc) is a perennial herbaceous plant, usually cultivated as annual crop. It is known for centuries as a spice and medicinal plant. The economics of the crop is the underground rhizome which is pungent and aromatic and used for culinary and medicinal purposes. After black pepper and cardamom, ginger is the most important spice crop and is considered the oldest known spice in the world. In India, ginger has been in use since time immemorial as spice and in Ayurvedic medicines. Indian ginger with its characteristic lemon flavor has high demand in the global market. Ginger grow very well in organically rich Nagaland soil. There are unrecorded reports available from farmers of Sirhima, Ponglwa, and Athibung that 1 Kg or even more ginger rhizomes are harvested from about 20-25 gm seed rhizome piece planted. This means that by planting 1 Kg @ 25gm rhizome/pit, 40 Kg ginger rhizome could be harvested at the end of the year. Such is the potentiality of ginger cultivation in the state.
India is the largest producer and exporter of ginger in the world. India’s production of ginger during 2001 was estimated at 2, 81,160 tones from 83,220 hectares (with productivity of 3,378 Kg/ha), almost 36.5% of the entire worlds ginger production. Kerala, contributing about 33% to the total ginger production in the country, is the leading state in area and production. In the North East, during 1998-99, the highest ginger produced was from Meghalaya with 49,060 tones from 9,550 hectares with productivity of 5,137 Kg/ha. During the said period, Nagaland produced 6,690 tones from 760 hectares with productivity of 8,803 Kg/ha (Source: ICAR, Production and marketing of ginger,NEHR 2006). During the said period, the productivity in Kerala was around 4,000 Kg/ha. So, when we look at the productivity, Nagaland is leading which is a clear indicative of rich soil type and suitable climatic conditions. Our farmers do not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides in ginger cultivation. This is another great plus point for the state.
SCOPE:
As per 2004 report on land use pattern of Nagaland, 190 Sq.km area is under jhum cultivation, which is 19,000 hectares. In Nagaland our farmers cultivate ginger in jhum fields along with other crops like rice, maize, soybean, colocasia, chilli, etc. There is great scope of ginger production organically in the state, provided the farmers are also convinced on better economy of its cultivation. Ginger is a potential cash crop of Nagaland. Harnessing this potentiality, the state can expect to reap the benefits by raising income of rural farmers, employment generation, and reduction in economic disparities within different populace of the state.
At present the farmers do not follow scientific methods in ginger cultivation. Moreover, their produce are unattractive to the buyers because of dirt, un-graded produce and mixing up of different varieties. Our farmers are not been educated on the importance of cleanliness and grading of their produce which could enhance the look in the market and attract attention of buyers.
However, in spite of the traditional methods used, the productivity and the rhizome quality is found higher and superior to the produce from other states. By imparting training on scientific methods of cultivation such as selection of healthy planting rhizomes, hot water treatment of seed rhizomes (if required), cultivation in raised beds, mulching with green leaves, clean cultivation, proper manuring wherever required, etc. can still further raise the level of productivity. Imparting training on cleanliness, and grading system will also add to quality improvement in the coming days. It is understood that there is great market demand of organic produce world wide and ginger being a very important spice crop, there is a great scope in its cultivation organically.
CONSTRAINTS:
1. Lack of processing unit:
Lack of processing unit is one major constraint in the cultivation of ginger in the state. The farmers were too happy to cultivate ginger during 2004-05 when the price went up to Rs.18/- per Kg. With the same momentum, ginger was cultivated in the following year and the price climbed down to Rs. 10/- a kilo. It was learnt that this year during February-March, ginger price came down to even Rs.2.50 per kg. The result was a huge loss and disappointment to the farmers. Had there been processing units, the surplus could have been processed and saved the losses and in the same vein the farmers could have been encouraged to continue cultivation with the same enthusiasm. If ginger cultivation is to be encouraged in the state, processing unit is a must in each district.
2. Lack of regulated market system:
Lack of coordinated/organized marketing system is another draw back for ginger cultivation in the state. Petty traders and agents of bigger traders come and collect ginger from farmers who in turn supply the same to bigger cities in the country. These petty traders and agents quote any rate and bargain with the farmers for their produce. Many a times the farmers get frustrated because of the too low price offered to them and more often they have no other choice but to yield to the offered price only with so much disappointment.
3. Lack of grading and classification of ginger varieties:
Another area of constraint is lack of grading and classification of varieties. Often, the produce is not very attractive to the buyers due to mixing up of different varieties.. The buyers do not have choice. The produce is often not cleaned nor graded. Even the beautiful plumpy rhizomes when soiled, they become unattractive particularly in the market.
4. Lack of proper co-ordination between Scientists and state officials:
There is lack of proper coordination between the Scientists and the state officials in monitoring the ginger seed health. It is certain that only from healthy seed rhizomes, healthy ginger crop could be produced. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that seed rhizomes are checked for the presence of pathogens and get treated before distribution to the farmers. Perhaps, ginger rhizomes were often procured without inspection of the fields and physical verification of the produce from other states and distribute to the farmers without considering the danger of introducing new diseases in the state through diseased seed rhizomes. In the past, ginger bacterial wilt was not reported from the state. However, during 2005-06 bacterial wilt was reported from Wokha district, suspected to have been introduced through seed rhizomes brought from outside the state. Such introduction of new diseases could be avoided if proper precautions are taken at source of seed rhizomes.
5. Pests and diseases:
Ginger, like any other crop, also suffers from attack of pests and diseases. The major diseases of ginger are- soft rot caused by Pythium myriotylum and P. aphanidermatum (confirmed in Ponglwa and Athibung area under Peren district); dry rot caused by Fusarium spp.( more common at foot hills like Medziphema) and bacterial wilt by Ralstonia solanacearum (reported from Wokha district), etc.
Among the pests, shoot borer by Conogethes punctiferalis and rhizome borer are major constraints in ginger cultivation. These pests cause significant damage to ginger crop in the state. However, the good news is that the above mentioned diseases and pests could be contained if proper instructions are followed by the farmers.
C. SUGGESTIONS:
To boost up the economy of the state by improving the rural economy through export of organically produced ginger, the following points may be considered:
1. Encourage farmers to grow a single variety in a given area/locality to avoid mixing of different varieties in order to make the produce look attractive.
2. Encourage farmers to produce their own disease free planting materials.
3. Introduction of new varieties of marketable quality ginger like Mahima, Varada, Rejatha, etc. besides the Nadia variety which is doing very well in the state.
4. Training of farmers on scientific methods of cultivation, grading, and cleanliness to make their produce attractive.
5. Establishment of regulated marketing system for the benefit of farmers.
6. Establishment of processing units in all major ginger producing districts.
7. Research on identification of suitable varieties for specific locations,
8. Advice the farmers to grow ginger in terraced fields to prevent soil erosion.
9. Encourage establishment of ginger farms at and around tourist spots.
10. Holding Seminars to provide forum for all agencies concerned with production, protection, marketing, export, and exchange of ideas.
11. Extending financial assistance to genuine ginger growers as an encouragement.
Now is the right opportune time to establish well organized market system in the state with quality consciousness to capture national and even international markets with organic ginger produce from Nagaland.
The writer is a Reader at Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus.
