Reducing Ginger Storage Losses and Empowering Women Producers in Nepal

  • Madan Bhusal
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In a groundbreaking initiative set to transform ginger farming in Nepal, a new project aims to significantly reduce storage losses and uplift women producers in Palpa and Pyuthan districts. This innovative project, which runs from February 1, 2024, to April 30, 2026, is spearheaded by Caritas Nepal in partnership with CRS Nepal and funded by the Shah Development Lab at Purdue University.

Project Overview

Ginger is a vital crop for the economic stability and nutritional health of communities in Palpa and Pyuthan. However, post-harvest losses have been a persistent problem, largely due to inadequate storage facilities, poor handling practices, and pest infestations. The new project addresses these challenges by focusing on sustainable storage solutions and supporting women ginger producers who are crucial to the sector.

Objectives

The primary goal of the project is to reduce post-harvest storage losses and enhance economic returns for ginger farmers by introducing low-cost, zero-energy storage prototypes to minimize spoilage and waste, facilitating off-season sales to improve financial outcomes, ensuring a stable supply of ginger to boost local nutrition security, and prioritizing the involvement of women farmers to strengthen their roles within the ginger farming sector.

Approach

The project employs a Farming Systems Development approach that prioritizes local needs and community engagement, with key activities including community-level training and technical support for constructing and using new storage technologies, providing grants for building household-level storage units, conducting market reviews and workshops to link ginger farmers with traders, retailers, and wholesalers, and promoting sustainable practices to extend ginger’s shelf life and enhance market access.

Expected Impact

The project targets 300 women ginger producers across five municipalities in Palpa and Pyuthan, with goals to decrease storage losses through enhanced storage techniques, increase farmers’ income by facilitating off-season sales and improving market access, and empower women by bolstering their roles and contributions within the ginger farming sector.

PRIORITIES

We are exploring four ginger storage prototypes to keep ginger for 5-6 months with minimal loss and good quality. Ginger is arranged in alternate layers with sand or rice husk. Each unit includes a sensor to monitor temperature, humidity, and storage duration, with data sent to producers’ mobile phones to track climatic variations. These include:

(i) An affordable bamboo storage unit, effective in India

(ii) An inexpensive raw brick unit, successful according to NARC

(iii) A pit storage unit, proven effective at the farmer level

(iv) An improved pit storage method

Partners and Support

The project is funded by CRS Nepal and implemented by Caritas Nepal, with additional support from the Shah Development Lab at Purdue University. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive approach to addressing both the technical and economic aspects of ginger production and storage.By addressing the root causes of storage losses and promoting sustainable practices, this project represents a significant step towards economic resilience and improved nutrition for communities in Palpa and Pyuthan. It also sets a precedent for future initiatives aimed at enhancing agricultural practices and supporting women in rural areas.

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