Oct 28, Kathmandu- Keemathnka (Sankhuwasabha)- In Sankhuwasabha, the price of cardamom, which has been falling since a decade ago, has seen some improvement this year. This year, the price of cardamom per pound (40 kg) has reached Rs 90,000.

Almost 10 years ago, the price of cardamom, which was traded at Rs 120,000, has decreased to Rs 25,000. President of Sankhuwasabha, Cardamom Traders Association, Kumar Shrestha informed that the current price of cardamom is Rs 90,000.

Recently, the price of Nepali cardamom has increased due to the increase in demand in the international market. President Shrestha said that the price of cardamom has increased due to low production and high demand.

Last year there was a turnover of Rs 60/65 thousand. Businessman Shrestha said that the price has increased due to the decline in cardamom production. Businessmen say that cardamom with good grading is trading at Rs 90,000 and normal cardamom without grading is trading at Rs 87,000.

Recently, since cardamom has been exported to India, Pakistan and other countries, the price has also increased. The Cardamom Traders Association said that the price of cardamom, which is the main source of income for farmers in the district, has been increasing since the beginning of the season this year.

Businessmen say that China has started studying cardamom, which is used as a spice, for Ayurvedic use. Ninety-eight percent of cardamom is exported outside Nepal. Although the price of cardamom has increased, the farmers have not been able to directly benefit from it.

In Sankhuwasabha, cardamom is being cultivated on an area equal to two thousand eight hundred and seventy one hectares. Cardamom is a reliable source of income for farmers in eastern hilly districts.

Farmers are complaining that most of the cardamom plantations have old plants and the production is decreasing as well as the plants are dying. This year, the production of cardamom is expected to decrease.