Jhapa: The eastern Kakarvitta transit point experienced a remarkable increase in the export of cash crops during the fiscal year 2022-23. Chief Customs Officer Ram Prasad Regmi from the Mechi Customs Office reported a significant surge in the export of various cash crops to India through this transit point.

The export of cardamom, a highly valued spice, witnessed an impressive rise of approximately 42 percent compared to the previous fiscal year. Last year, the quantity of exported cardamom amounted to over 9.9 million kilos, with a total worth of Rs 8.24 billion. This was a substantial increase from the previous year's export of around 5.3 million kilos valued at Rs 4.76 billion.

Tea leaves, another essential cash crop, also saw an encouraging upswing with a 16 percent increase in exports compared to the previous year. Over 16 million kilos of tea leaves were exported, amounting to a value of over Rs 3.42 billion.

The export of ginger, known for its unique flavor and medicinal properties, experienced a significant surge of 47 percent compared to the previous year. During the fiscal year 2022-23, over 15.5 million kilos of ginger were supplied to India, with a total value of over 639.2 million.

Likewise, there was a noteworthy 27 percent rise in the export of broom grass compared to the fiscal year 2021-22. Last fiscal year, over 11.9 million kilos of broom grass, worth over Rs 864 million, were exported to India.

Additionally, the fiscal year 2022-23 witnessed promising export figures for other products as well. Plywood exports amounted to a total value of Rs 1.99 billion, marking a substantial increase from the previous year's Rs 108 million. Similarly, the export of chhurpi, the hardened yak cheese, reached a value of Rs 1.10 billion, compared to Rs 84.3 million in the previous year.

The success of these exports can be attributed to the productivity and quality of the cash crops in the regions of Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar, Taplejung, Dhankuta, Tehrathum, and Bhojpur within Koshi Province. These areas are renowned as 'pocket areas' for the production of tea, cardamom, ginger, broom grass, and chhurpi. Notably, the processing, storage, and branding of these products, including plywood, primarily take place in Jhapa.

The encouraging export figures reflect the growing demand and competitiveness of these cash crops in international markets, particularly in India, and they are likely to have a positive impact on the local economies of the producing regions.