Palpa, Nepal – In a significant milestone for Nepal’s agricultural sector, processed organic ginger from Nisdi Rural Municipality in eastern Palpa has successfully entered the European market. The Galdha Social Entrepreneur Women’s Cooperative, based in Nisdi-5, has exported four metric tons of ginger to Germany and New Zealand this year alone.
The expansion of Palpa’s ginger exports has encouraged local farmers, who now see greater potential in organic ginger cultivation. The cooperative has partnered with Ecosta Nepal to process and certify ginger as organic before sending it to international markets.
According to Dil Maya Saru, manager of the cooperative, the processing is done using advanced machinery obtained with support from government and non-government organizations. The equipment facilitates washing, slicing, drying, grinding, and packaging, ensuring high-quality standards for export. This year, 4,460 kilograms of processed ginger were sent to Germany at a rate of NPR 750 per kilogram.
Boosting Local Farmers and Economic Growth
Last year, the cooperative procured 39,885 kilograms of raw ginger at a cost of NPR 3.97 million. Out of this, 28,000 kilograms were processed, while the remaining raw ginger was sold for NPR 4.76 million. Encouraged by rising demand, the cooperative aims to export 10,000 kilograms of processed ginger and 20,000 kilograms of raw ginger in the coming year.
To further support exports, an additional 42 ropani (approximately 2.1 hectares) of land has been allocated for ginger farming. This expansion was made possible through the financial assistance of Heifer International Nepal and the facilitation of the Rural Economic Development Association (REDA) Palpa.
Government and Institutional Support
The cooperative has received significant backing from the Lumbini Provincial Government, the federal and local governments, and Heifer Nepal. In the fiscal year 2021/22, the cooperative supplied 532 kilograms of processed ginger to the domestic market through Annapurna Suppliers in Kapilvastu. The following year, it exported 805 kilograms of organic-certified ginger to Europe for sample testing.
With nearly NPR 8 million invested in the cooperative’s processing industry, Palpa’s organic ginger is gaining international recognition. This success story highlights Nepal’s growing potential in sustainable agriculture and global trade, paving the way for further economic opportunities for local farmers and cooperatives.
Ecosphere News will continue to track developments in Nepal’s agricultural exports and sustainability efforts.
