AI Generated Summary
- With this innovation, Punjab could soon transform from an importer to a producer — a move that promises to spice up not just local kitchens, but also the rural economy.
- The trials, which began in 2018, led to a detailed production protocol — involving raised beds, partial shade, and mulching techniques — that enhance yield and protect ginger rhizomes from heat and pests.
- Tailored for the Kandi region along the Shivalik foothills, the model promises to make Punjab self-sufficient in ginger production while boosting farmers’ earnings.
For decades, Punjab households have relied on ginger brought in from other states to flavour their meals and soothe their ailments. That dependence may soon end, thanks to a breakthrough by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana.
After seven years of rigorous research, scientists at PAU’s Regional Research Station in Ballowal Saunkhri have unveiled a comprehensive, region-specific ginger cultivation model. Tailored for the Kandi region along the Shivalik foothills, the model promises to make Punjab self-sufficient in ginger production while boosting farmers’ earnings.
Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal said the initiative was crafted to match the local agro-climatic conditions and offer farmers a lucrative alternative to traditional crops. “This model not only ensures self-reliance in meeting local consumption but also encourages rural entrepreneurship,” he remarked.
According to PAU’s estimates, the average Punjabi household consumes nearly one kilogram of ginger every month. To meet this demand internally, around 11,000 acres of land would be required for cultivation. The trials, which began in 2018, led to a detailed production protocol — involving raised beds, partial shade, and mulching techniques — that enhance yield and protect ginger rhizomes from heat and pests.
High Returns for Farmers
Research Director Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt highlighted that the Kandi region’s loose, organic-rich soil and natural resilience against wild animals make it ideal for ginger farming. The economics are equally encouraging: with a production cost of about ₹1.97 lakh per acre and an average yield of 70 quintals, farmers could earn gross returns of ₹4.55 lakh, translating to net profits of ₹2.58 lakh per acre. The benefit-cost ratio of 2.3 is significantly higher than that of conventional crops in the area.
From Kitchen Staple to Agro-Enterprise
The crop, which matures by November–December, can yield 70–80 quintals per acre. Beyond fresh consumption, ginger lends itself well to processing into powder, oil, candy, and pickle — value-added products that can curb post-harvest losses and create new business opportunities in rural Punjab.
The PAU model also provides guidance on seed storage and integrates ginger cultivation with agro-forestry systems, making it a sustainable and scalable venture.
With this innovation, Punjab could soon transform from an importer to a producer — a move that promises to spice up not just local kitchens, but also the rural economy.
