Alipurduar, 23rd December: The farmers of Samuktala of Alipurduar district have initiated cultivation of nutrient-rich black ginger. Notably, black ginger, a plant comprising medicinal value, has been produced by farmers of Manipur in North-East India for decades. It is also known as Thai Black Ginger. Significantly, the ginger is being sold for Rs 1500 to Rs 2000 per kg.
According to reports, Sadanand Chakraborty of Samuktala in Alipurduar and a few other farmers have initiated cultivation of the black ginger. About its cultivation, the special ginger is cultivated mostly in loamy soil; however, it can also be cultivated by mixing both loamy and clay soil. Black ginger can also be cultivated by concealing soil in sacks and filling in tubs instead of the ground. It takes seven to eight months to cultivate black ginger. The farmers revealed that the cultivation can be done at any time of the year.
Speaking in this regard, Sadanand Chakraborty stated that in the current year, the vegetable has been cultivated on less than half bighas of land. He added that the farmers have purchased the vegetable from Manipur and cultivated it. Furthermore, he stated that he had taken information from Manipur about black ginger and its health benefits. The farmer anticipates cultivating more in the upcoming year.