An examination of global and national ginger market trends revealed local farmers are receiving unjust prices from the Agricultural Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC). The government initiated the ginger project with the APMC last year to support farmers when ginger prices plummeted. However, the APMC has allegedly misinterpreted the minimum rate as a fixed rate, despite higher wholesale rates in Delhi's market.
Insiders in Delhi reported prices reaching up to Rs. 70 per kg while Nagaland farmers earn a paltry sum of Rs. 7.50 per kg of ginger. Accounting for transport costs, the APMC is projected to make a substantial profit of Rs. 34.50 per kg.
The Spice Board of India states the current domestic price of Cochin ginger is Rs. 45 for premium quality and Rs. 40 per kg for medium quality. Despite similarities in the Cochin and Nadia ginger varieties, market preference varies, with Cochin favored internationally and Nadia nationally.
APMC officials insist that Delhi's ginger price has dropped to Rs. 7, implying heavy losses for the APMC. However, they admit that local farmers have been offered up to Rs. 10 per kg of ginger by Marwari businessmen, without providing a satisfactory explanation for the price discrepancies.
[ Rs. 100 = €1.10 ]
Source: morungexpress.com