The Koshi Province has witnessed a significant production of key cash crops such as tea leaves, cardamom, ginger, and grass groom.
According to the Kakarbhitta Plant Quarantine Office, 4,331 metric tons of tea leaves, valued at around Rs 2.6 billion, were exported to India through the east Kakarbhitta point in the first three months of the current fiscal year 2080-81 BS (2023-24).
It may be noted that Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar, and Dhanukuta are known as focal areas for tea production in eastern Nepal. There is a surge in demand for organic tea produced in Nepal in the European market.
Furthermore, black cardamom, ginger, and broom grass from the eastern hilly districts are exported to India via the Kakarbhitta checkpoint. Data shows that in the same three-month period, the export of black cardamom amounted to approximately Rs 1.21 billion, with a quantity of 1,510 metric tons. Black cardamom is specially cultivated in loamy soils found in Ilam, Panchthar, Tehrathum, Dhankuta, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, and Khotang districts. It has a high market value.
Moreover, the Kakarbhitta point recorded the export of 1,793 metric tons of ginger, equivalent to some Rs 230 million during the same period. Prior to export, ginger undergoes processing in Jhapa and Ilam districts to ensure its quality.
In addition to these, there is a significant demand for broom grass in India and Bangladesh. According to Chandeshwor Thakur, the information officer at the Plant Quarantine Office, 2,417 metric tons of broom grass worth Rs 290 million was exported, in the first three months of the current fiscal. This plant is primarily cultivated in the steep hills of Nepal.
