Ginger cultivation may suffer setback in Nilphamari

Our Correspondent

NILPHAMARI, Sept 15: The production of ginger may suffer setback and target may not be achieved in this year as virus and disease affected the ginger plants in Nilphamari.

Sources said virus free and hybrid ginger seed is not available in the country and soil borne and seed borne disease hinder production every year. Moreover soil treatment and seed treatment technology is not properly followed by the farmers

Sources said ginger cultivation in the district is gradually decreasing because the crop became vulnerable to various virus and disease in the previous years.

Nilphamari district produces more than 50 per cent of the total ginger produced in the country as the soil of the district is conducive to ginger cultivation.

DAE sources said cultivation of this very necessary spice has decreased slightly in comparison to that of the last year. This year's cultivation target of ginger is in 1836 hectares of land and production target is 18729 tonnes where as last year's cultivation achievement was 2060 hectares of land and production achievement was 22290 tonnes.

While contacted Abdur Rahman, a ginger farmer of Itakhola Union parishod (UP) of sadar Upazila, said he cultivated ginger in one bigha (30 decimal) of land. The plants grew excellently but sudden attack of pest and virus shattered his hope of expected production.

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