February 17: Large cardamom farming has attracted farmers of Lamjung district because of the prospects of good income. Most of the farmers of the district are engaged in cardamom farming as it has generated good income lately, say the locals. One of them is Ajaya Tamang of Marsyangdi Rural Municipality-7. He expanded the farming to 40 ropanis of land from one ropani 15 years ago. He earns between Rs 1 million to Rs 1.5 million in income annually by selling cardamom and its saplings. He engaged in this business when Nepal's a large cardamom nursery was established at Tarachowk Shera and Chhinkhola. The nursery spans across 55 ropanis of land.    
"I would have earned Rs 300,000 annually from a foreign job. But, now I earn more than Rs 1 million in income annually from the business at home," said Tamang, who is also the outgoing chairperson of the Federation of Large Cardamom Entrepreneurs of Nepal, Lamjung and its coordinator of the Gandaki Province. He has also come up with a drive to encourage foreign job aspirants into the farming.    
Som Bahadur Tamang of Ludi in the rural municipality has grown large cardamom in 60 ropanis of land after spending 15 years of his life in foreign jobs. He is generating around Rs 500,000 in income annually from the business.    
"I am finding it easier to support my family from this business. It generates good income than that from growing paddy and corn," he said, adding that 10 quintals of large cardamom were produced this year.    
Attracted by lucrative incomes from it, a group of 42 farmers of Barapokhari has grown large cardamom in 1,500 ropanis of land by registering agriculture group, he said.    
Balaram Lama of Chhinkhola has also grown cardamom. He drew over Rs 500,000 in income annually from this business. Started some 45 years ago, grand cardamom, also known as 'black gold', black cardamom and locally called 'alainchi', has been a lucrative business in the district.    
Although the farming has been done in 1,500 hectares of land, only 1,200 hectares have been producing cardamom, according to available data. This year, the district saw an 85 percent increment in cardamom production as compared to 35 metric tonnes last year, farmers estimate. The high value cash crop, which is used as medicinal herb and spices as well, is in high demand. The evergreen, perennial and herbaceous plant is grown on north-facing hill slopes, according to the government.    
Black cardamom is being supplied to various countries including neighbouring India. Pocket area for the farming is Marsyangdi Rural Municipality, Bensisahar Municipality, Kyoholasothar Rural Municipality, Dordi Rural Municipality and Dudhpokhari Rural Municipality. One kilogram of black cardamom fetches from Rs 600 to Rs 700. -- RSS