Nandapur: Ginger production has increased significantly in the Nandapur block of Koraput district. The demand for ginger has risen, but prices remain low. Processing of ginger is being carried out, benefiting both ginger farmers and women’s self-help groups (SHGs). This initiative has created employment opportunities for village women.
“In our village, 27 families reside. Earlier, to sustain our households, we had to travel to Nandapur and Semiliguda for daily wage labor. We used to leave for work in the morning and return in the evening. But now, our situation has changed. We can earn a livelihood while staying at home,” said members of the Maa Tarini Mahila Gosthi (women’s group) from Luhaba Maliput village in Nandapur.
With support, guidance, and collaboration from the state government’s Horticulture Department, the NGO Pradan, Nari Shakti FPC, and S for S Sanskar, 27 ginger processing machines have been installed in 27 households, allowing women to earn income. Every day, a family can process 3-4 bags of collected ginger, which includes washing, cutting, drying, and packaging. They earn ₹120 per 50 kg bag. After processing, S for S supplies the prepared ginger to Aurangabad, Maharashtra, said Maa Tarini Mahila Gosthi President Bhagabati Patra, Secretary Kamala Patra, Jaindev Mahila Gosthi President Gorimani Nayak, Secretary Tulasi Patra, Lukhma Mahila Gosthi President Gora Nayak, Secretary Subhadra Nayak, and other members.
The state government’s Horticulture and Mission Shakti Departments, along with Pradan Sanskar, field observer Shankar Prasad Nayak, Nari Shakti FPC’s Sarat Talab, and Dhanu Khemundu, provided consultation and support, which villagers appreciated.
In 2019, ginger processing initially started in five villages of Nandapur block—Khurji, Muliaput, Semiliput, Dagariput, and Galput—along with Subai Panchayat’s Luhaba Maliput. At first, five processing machines were installed, marking the beginning of ginger processing in these high-production areas. Now, 500 ginger processing machines have been set up in households, enabling 500 families to earn ₹400-₹500 daily while working from home.
The director of Pradan, Nikita Saikia, stated that if the administration sets up cold storage facilities in the region, it will facilitate better preservation of ginger and support the production of related products.