Badasahi: Hundreds of farmers used to make a living out of ginger cultivation in the riparian areas along Budhabalanga and Gangahar rivers under Badasahi block in Mayurbhanj district, but most of them are now turning away from growing the spicy root.
Lack of government support and training are said to be the two main reasons for the farmers’ reticence to cultivate ginger. Another factor is the local market is flooded with ginger from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, triggering a price war.
Ginger farming is no more profitable for the last several years, said some farmers. “Even we are unable to recover the input cost,” some farmers rued.
Farmers said the ginger produced here is facing competition from that coming from the neighbouring state. People buy Andhra ginger because it is cheaper than the locally produced variety, they added.
The farmers pointed out while the local ginger remains unsold, there is no government procurement mechanism to ensure right price for the farmers.
Murali Ghose of Singhatia said, “This year, many farmers refused to cultivate ginger fearing loss. For the last four years, ginger plants could not grow properly as their leaves got blighted.
We could not even get the seeds for the next season. There is no proper training from the government to ensure high production of ginger and protect the crop from pest attacks.”
Bhutnatha Acharya of Arapat village said, “Last year, ginger cultivation was hit by pests. The produce also decomposed, leading to a loss in the farming. We are now left with no seeds.”
Sumant Kumar Sahu, a farmer from Pratappur, said, “Tough local ginger had good demand in the markets, but we are unable to get its right price due to the influx of Andhra ginger, which is sold at a low price.
Two years ago, the local produce was sold for Rs 100 a kg but this year it is sold for Rs 50 a kg. So, we have left our land uncultivated.”
Many farmers observed that the government should supply high-yielding seeds, provide training to ginger farmers and ensure right market conditions and facilities. “Then only, it will be profitable for us,” the farmers noted.
