Back to activities

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb)

1 min Read

70% Complete

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb) is a high value cash crop and a main source of cash income for farmers in the eastern Himalayan region including Eastern #Nepal, #Sikkim and parts of #Darjeeling district in West Bengal of #India, and Southern #Bhutan. Presently, Nepal is the largest producer of large cardamom with 68% share in the global market, followed by India (22%) and Bhutan (9%).

It’s been reported that #cardamom production has been declining in a number of cardamom growing areas due to lack of proper orchard management. To ensure greater productivity, it is extremely important to ensure timely clearing, weeding, manuring and soil moisture conservation with proper mulching. Unfortunately many cardamom growers are not aware about soil nutrient management, which leads to poor yield. Many farmers are also growing cardamom in outdated orchards, which are more prone to pests, disease, and have lower productivity in general.

Clearing/cleaning and mulching are important practices for better cardamom productivity. Dry leaves of shade trees can be effectively utilized for mulching to increase soil moisture and reduce the effect of drought, especially in dry winter periods.

At our #KnowledgePark we demonstrate proper management of cardamom orchards on a season-wise basis. Here we also showcase the use of Utis (Alnus nepalensis) as a common shade tree which can also contribute in ensuring healthy sustainable cardamom production.

#SimpleSolutions #NatureKnowsBest #Godavari

11 Dec 2019 Community outreach
Distribution of material – seed and seedlings

Large amounts of seeds and seedlings of useful plants from ICIMOD’s plant nursery have been distributed to farmers and farmers ...

11 Dec 2019 Scientific research
Carbon monitoring

An inventory of carbon monitoring plots was conducted in May 2012 to establish a mechanism for long-term monitoring of forest ...

Effective microorganisms (EM) technology and EM composting

'Effective microorganisms technology' is a method developed by Professor T. Higa of Japan in which a mixed culture of beneficial ...

Replication of #Godavari Technologies in Chukha District, #Bhutan

Below is an excerpt from Mr. Yeshi Dorji, Agricultural Officer of BCCI, Bhutan about the successful adoption of kiwi cultivation ...

11 Dec 2019 Biodiversity
Biodiversity Conservation: Development of Swampy Wetland Area

Recently, ICIMOD embarked on a new project for biodiversity conservation and promotion: development of a useful ...

11 Dec 2019 Scientific research
Nursery

A plant nursery was established in the lower area of the site to ensure an adequate ...

11 Dec 2019 Biodiversity
Biodiversity

ICIMOD has a number of ongoing activities in biodiversity conservation. At the Knowledge Park at Godavari, the emphasis ...

11 Dec 2019 Scientific research
Transboundary air pollution station

ICIMOD, as a UNEP GRID node, is a partner with UNEP, the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of ...