The farmers who were mourning over crash in price and crop loss, are now heading for some good news.
The rise in the price of ginger has brought smile on the face of the growers in Chikmagalur. The spot price of ginger on Tuesday was Rs 2,100 to Rs 2,200 a bag (60 kg) as against Rs 900-Rs 1,000 a few weeks ago.
With the decrease in the temparature in North India, there has been increase in the demand for ginger coffee and ginger tea.
At the same time, the festivals are nearing and demand for ginger has increased. The low ginger yield in the neighbouring state Kerala has also attributed to the increase in price of Ginger.
The sowing of ginger had drsatically reduced in Hassan, Kodagu, Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts.
The ginger yield has come up in Malnad and irrigated field.The ginger is sent to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkotta and Uttar Pradesh, said a trader.
Last year, the yield was not good in Chikmagalur. The ginger had fetched Rs 400 to Rs 500. Later, it had crashed to Rs 300.
The farmers in Chikmagalur had started growing ginger by deserting traditional crops like paddy and coffee. In Malnad, ginger is grown in in 2,500 hectare.
In Hassan, the area under ginger cultivation is 10,000 hectare.
“Many had stopped harvesting ginger and left the ginger in the field, following the crash in price in the district,” said a farmer.
“The farmers who had lost paddy following lack of water are now smiling over good price for ginger,” said a farmer Shashidhar.
