Landslide Profit for Cardamom Farmers in Lamjung: NPR 243 Million Earned This Year

In Lamjung, farmers have earned NPR 24.3 crore from the sale of cardamom seeds this fiscal year. According to Haribahadur Mijar, Agricultural Officer at the National Agricultural Modernization Project Implementation Unit, Lamjung, 135 metric tons of cardamom produced in the district were sold at prices ranging from NPR 1,800 to 2,500 per kilogram.

Although production has decreased compared to last year, the rise in price resulted in higher overall earnings. Last fiscal year, cardamom production accounted for 0.04%, while this year it dropped slightly to 0.039%. In FY 2081/82, 150 metric tons were sold, earning NPR 22 crore, at rates of NPR 1,500 to 2,400 per kilogram.

The demand from neighboring India also increased due to lower production there, helping local farmers secure better prices, according to Officer Mijar.

Historical context of Lamjung’s cardamom earnings:

FY 2080/81: 251 metric tons sold, NPR 24 crore earned, price around NPR 1,200/kg.

FY 2079/80: 380 metric tons sold, NPR 20 crore earned, price between NPR 550–700/kg.

FY 2078/79: 335 metric tons sold, NPR 15 crore earned.

FY 2077/78: 3,500 quintals sold, NPR 18.2 crore earned.

FY 2076/77: 2,000 quintals sold, NPR 12 crore earned.

The data shows that despite fluctuations in production, price increases have consistently helped farmers maintain or increase income, highlighting the importance of market demand in determining earnings.