Ginger (Zingiber officinale) of a perennial herb is the underground stem (Rhizome) belongs to family Zingiberaceae and native to southern Asia generally used as spice, flavouring, food and medicine. Ginger is normally available in its fresh form, processed form as dried, powdered, preserved in syrup, brine etc. it is an important component of condiments, curries, pickles, flavoured drinks and syrups and is also used in the manufacture of ginger oil, oleoresin, essences, tinctures, etc. ginger preserve and ginger candy prepared from green or fresh ginger are quite a favourite for many people and in great demand. A number of alcoholic beverages are prepared in foreign countries such as ginger brandy, ginger wine, ginger beer and ginger ales, etc. The area under ginger in NE region is 30.84 thousands ha which gives total production of 209.15 thousand tonnes at an average yield of 6.78 t/ha against the national productivity of 3.56 t/ha. However, the productivity is highest in Manipur (9.86 t/ha) followed by Nagaland (9.05 t/ha). Whereas, Longleng district of Nagaland average yield 20.83 tons/ ha (source, Statistical handbook of Nagaland,2021)
Looking into the huge potential of ginger cultivation in term of favourable climatic condition and market demand in Longleng District. KVK Longleng adopted Lingtak village as a model village at Theihojong project site for organic production of ginger (Cv. Nadia) in the year 2020. For this project, twenty hectares (20 ha) compact area was selected during the 1st and 2nd year involving 42 progressive farmers from Lingtak and Hukphang village. A total of 2 t/ha ginger rhizome planting material was sown during the first year 2020 and 4 t/ha planting material was sown during the second year (2021) following scientific packages and practices of organic ginger cultivation. Being organic cultivation, the rhizome was treated with bio control agent Trichoderma spp. @4 g/kg rhizome before planting for controlling fungal disease. Farm Yard Manure (FYM) 10-15 t/ha was used as manure for the crop followed by mulching with crop residues. The total yield was 20.83 tons/ha and 22.5 t/ha during the first year (2020) and second year (2021) harvest respectively. It is expected to double during the successive year owing to expansion of the cultivated area and farmers’ participation. The success of organic ginger production and the income benefitted, encouraged the other farmers within the village and outside the neighbouring villages to take up ginger cultivation as a sustainable source of income generation. Since, ginger is the crop under One District One Crop (ODOC) for Longleng District as per the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, effort is made to popularize ginger and its product for large scale production during the successive year.
Article contributed by Lily Ngullie, A Namei, Yuimi Raising, KVK Longleng
