Alipurduar, Dec 23 (Siliguri Journal) – Samuktala farmers in Alipurduar district are now growing black ginger, a plant packed with nutrients. This special ginger, known as Thai Black Ginger, has been cultivated by Manipur farmers in North-East India for many years due to its medicinal benefits. Interestingly, it’s now being sold by our local farmers for Rs 1500 to Rs 2000 per kg.
Reports indicate that Sadanand Chakraborty from Samuktala, Alipurduar, along with other farmers, has started growing black ginger. The unique cultivation process involves using mainly loamy soil, though a mix of loamy and clay soil is also effective. Alternatively, black ginger can be grown by concealing soil in sacks and using tubs instead of planting it directly in the ground. The cultivation period spans seven to eight months, and interestingly, it can be done at any time of the year, as shared by the farmers.
Sadanand Chakraborty mentioned that this year, they cultivated the vegetable on less than half a bigha of land, having purchased it from Manipur. He gathered information about black ginger and its health benefits from Manipur and expressed his intention to expand cultivation in the coming year.
