Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, Friday, announced a major breakthrough in crop diversification with the development of a complete package of practices for successful ginger cultivation in the state’s Kandi belt, covering sub-mountainous tract along foothills of Shivalik Hills in Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Ropar districts of Punjab. The achievement comes after seven years of sustained research and trials at the Regional Research Station, Ballowal Saunkhri. Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal said that the innovation would not only reduce Punjab’s dependence on ginger supplies from other states but also provide farmers with a profitable alternative suited to the challenging conditions of the Kandi belt. He added that ginger, known both as a culinary staple and for its medicinal value in easing nausea, indigestion and colic, had so far been largely imported from outside Punjab despite its heavy local demand. Studies conducted at PAU reveal that an average Punjabi household consumes about one kilogram of ginger per month. To meet this requirement within the state, nearly 11,000 acres would need to be brought under ginger cultivation. Recognising this opportunity, scientists at Ballowal Saunkhri began systematic experiments in 2018 and eventually developed a region-specific package of practices. According to Director of Research Ajmer Singh Dhatt, the trials clearly showed that ginger thrives in the Kandi tract. The crop performs well in loose, friable soils rich in organic matter and slightly acidic in nature. Being sensitive to water stagnation, it requires raised beds and efficient drainage. The research further revealed that ginger adapts well under partial shade, making it an excellent choice for integration into agro-forestry models with trees such as poplar and eucalyptus. An additional advantage in this region is its resilience against wild animal damage, a factor that often devastates other crops. Manmohanjit Singh, Director of the Regional Research Station, explained that the recommended practices begin with the use of healthy, disease-free rhizomes weighing 30-40 grams, treated with fungicides, at a seed rate of 8-10 quintals per acre. Sowing is advised in the first fortnight of May or with the onset of summer rains. Raised beds spaced at 30 cm between rows and 20 cm between plants ensure optimal growth. The nutrient plan involves applying six tonnes of farmyard manure along with nitrogen, phosphorus and potash, distributed partly at sowing and partly in two split doses at 45 and 90 days. Mulching with sugarcane trash or paddy straw immediately after sowing conserves soil moisture, checks weeds and aids germination. Irrigation requirements are limited to two or three cycles before the monsoon, while none are needed during the rainy season. From October onwards, irrigation every 15 days is sufficient, though heavy watering must be avoided. Weeding and earthing-up at 45 and 90 days suppress unwanted growth and protect exposed rhizomes. The crop reaches maturity by November or December, when the leaves dry and turn yellow, with yields ranging from 70 to 80 quintals per acre under good management. An economic analysis presented by PAU shows that the cost of ginger production is about ₹1.97 lakh per acre, mainly due to the expense of seed rhizomes. However, with an average yield of 70 quintals per acre and current market prices of ₹6,500 per quintal, farmers can earn gross returns of about ₹4.55 lakh per acre. Net returns stand at approximately ₹2.58 lakh per acre, giving a benefit-cost ratio of 2.3. Dr. Dhatt highlighted that this profitability far surpasses that of many conventional crops grown in the Kandi tract. Gosal emphasised the importance of value addition as part of the ginger initiative. Fresh produce can be processed into dry ginger, powder, oil, oleoresin, candy, pickles and paste. Such processing not only minimises post-harvest losses but also extends shelf life and creates opportunities for rural entrepreneurs in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Singh added that the crop offers a practical solution to two persistent issues for Kandi farmers: the heavy damage caused by wild animals and the poor returns from traditional crops.
