FAOR Somsak Pipoppinyo handing over the Ginger washing and processing facility papers to Narendra Khadka, President of NGPTA. Also seen in the picture is Uttam Bhattarai, Secretary at MoAD (third from right). Text and Photo © FAO/Vidhu Kayastha

KATHMANDU-Ginger washing and processing   facility established at Duwagadhi-9 of Jhapa district in a public-private partnership approach under a donor supported programme was handed over to Nepal Ginger Producers and Traders’ Association (NGPTA) on 3 May 2016 amidst a formal convention held at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD).

Formal handover of the facility took place through signing on the deed by FAO Representative Somsak Pipoppinyo and Narendra Kumar Khadka, President NGPTA.

Lekha Nath Acharya, Joind Secretary at the MoAD, Anita Niroula, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and Pradip Maharjan, Chief Executive Officer of Agro Enterprise Centre (AEC) signed as witnesses in the handing over documents.

Uttam Kumar Bhattarai, Secretary at MoAD, expressed his gratitude to FAO and its team on carrying out the project.

Somsak Pipoppinyo, FAOR, suggested areas of continued supports to the facility from the stakeholders as vital to its sustained operation.

Narendra Kumar Khadka, President of NGPTA, expressed his happiness receiving the facility and emphasized importance of continued support from MoAD on operation of the facility.

Establishment of the facility planned by the Ginger Competitiveness Project (MTF/NEP/068) in partnership of the government and private sectors was facilitated by Food and Agriculture Organization (Nepal) and financially supported by Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) and Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) in the World Trade Organization (WTO) in view of promoting quality and export of Nepalese ginger with ultimate consequence in enhanced income and livelihood of Nepalese ginger farmers. NGPTA has availed the facility with 7450 m² land for its construction and operation.

The plant, with the facilities of washing, surface drying, grading, weighing and packing, the facility, can offer cleaning of up to 6 metric ton ginger rhizome per hour. It can provide washing service to above 8000 farm households with effects on farm available prices and new job creation along ginger value chain. The facility also aims at creating 200 seasonal jobs and benefit approximately 200 traders.

Ginger crops generate important cash income for farmers in the target districts of Panchthar, Ilam, Jhapa and Morang.