Ilam: The price of cardamom has surged threefold this season, marking a significant boon for farmers in Ilam. Cardamom is currently fetching its highest price in the last four years, bringing considerable happiness to the local farming community.

According to trader Jeevan Pandey, the price of cardamom has nearly tripled compared to last year. While it was priced at Rs 28,000 per quintal last year, high-quality cardamom is currently commanding Rs 85,000 per quintal.

Pandey attributes this year's price hike to an insufficient supply of cardamom in the international market relative to its demand. This scarcity has played a pivotal role in driving up the prices and benefiting local farmers.

Biren Shereng, a farmer in Suryodaya Municipality-1, has cultivated cardamom on approximately 100 ropani of land. He notes that annual production ranges from 27 to 30 metric tons, resulting in savings of at least one million rupees.

Farmers in Ilam have experienced an uptick in income following the adoption of modern farming systems to improve cardamom cultivation. This year, the district has produced 1,325 metric tons of cardamom, representing a 7.96% increase over the previous year. The Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Ilam reports that cardamom cultivation covers 1,753 hectares of land.

Runa Khadka, an employee of the Centre, highlights that although the area under cardamom cultivation has decreased, production and productivity have risen. Last year, 1,215.26 metric tons were produced on 1,755 hectares, with productivity per hectare increasing from 0.69 to 0.75 this year.

In Ilam, cardamom cultivation is widespread across all 10 local levels, including six rural municipalities and four municipalities. It is particularly extensive in Maijogmai and Sandakpur rural municipalities. Cardamom thrives at altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 meters above sea level.