Traditional cultivation practices of large cardamom serve as an example for harnessing a local mountain niche that is sympatric to agro-climatic ranges between 400 and 2,300 m elevations. This unique traditional farming system ensures ecological and economical sustainability based on indigenously-evolved agroforestry management practices and contributes to the well-being of mountain marginal farmers.
Nepal is the largest producer of large cardamom in the world; more than 95% of the produce is marketed to India, the largest exporter of large cardamom. Large cardamom is cultivated in around 41 districts of Nepal, among which Taplejung is the largest producer (total area: 3,915 ha; productive area: 2,952 ha; total production: 1,802 MT), followed by Sankhuwasabha (total area: 3,240 ha; productive area: 2,635 ha; total production: 940 MT), and Panchthar (total area: 1,620 ha; productive area: 1,506 ha; total production: 671 MT) (Government of Nepal [GoN], 2013). However, the total production and productivity of cardamom in Taplejung district has remained static. Majority of the plantations are old and infested with diseases and pests despite extensive expansion initiatives. This situation is also attributed to poor management practices, lack of quality materials, and lack of proper package of practices for the farmers.
The report was co-funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Nepal.