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inger is a tropical species native to South East Asia. It belongs to the family Zingiberaceae. The English term ginger originated from Sanskrit word Sringavera. Botanically known as Zingiber Officinale, it is the most popular hot spice in the world. The useful part of this plant is the underground rhizome. Ginger has a long and well-documented history of both culinary and
medicinal use throughout the world, especially in Chinese, Indian and Japanese medicinal care. In Indian ayurvedic medicine, ginger is used as an anti-inflammatory herb. It was introduced to Africa and Caribbean countries in the 16th century. Ginger has a long history of use in South Asia both in dried and fresh form. The Hindu epic Mahabharta describes a meal where meat was stewed with ginger and other spices. In the Manassllasa literature writ-
Table I
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults; Source: USDA Nutrient database
Indias share in ginger export is estimated at 13,000 tonnes per year, which is only two per cent of its production
ten in the 11th century AD, ginger is mentioned as a flavouring agent for buttermilk drink. Its use as a food became much more widespread by the 13th century AD with advent of the Muslim rule in India. Ginger was exported from India to the Roman Empire 2000 years ago. Arab merchants controlled the ginger trade. Ginger became one of
Market Survey
is the largest ginger producing state, accounting Area, Production and Yield of Ginger for about 33 per cent of in India the total production in Year Area Production Yield India. (000 hect) (000 tonnes) (kg/ha) Cochin Ginger (NUGC) and Calicut 1997-98 75.6 252.1 3,335 Ginger (NUBK) are the 1998-99 77.6 263.2 3,392 two popular varieties 1999-2000 80.8 282.6 3,498 of Indian ginger in the 2000-01 86.2 288.0 3,341 world market. Ginger is 2001-02 90.8 318.0 3,502 available in the forms of oil, oleoresins, ground 2002-03 90.8 317.0 3,500 ginger and fresh ginger. 2003-04 85.1 301.9 3,548 Light-coloured ginger 2004-05 95.3 359.0 3,767 has traditionally been 2005-06 110.6 391.2 3,537 more priced for its sut2006-07 105.9 370.3 3,497 ble lemony aroma. Dark ginger has more heat Source: Spices Board, Cochin and is favoured for extraction purposes. Fresh Table III ginger is used as a vegetable. Out of the total production, about Area and Production of 30 per cent is converted into dry ginGinger in the World ger, while 50 per cent is consumed Year Area Production as green ginger and the rest as seed (hect) (mt) materials. Dry ginger is produced 1998 312,108 864,760 mainly in Kerala, a major share of which is exported. 1999 308,631 952,222 Table II 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 305,696 310,923 317,099 341,360 341,829 372,271 414,183 429,481 953,152 988,951 1,007,503 1,109,833 1,141,319 1,264,891 1,337,188 1,387,445 Table IV
Table V
the most commonly traded spices during the 13th and 14th centuries.
World trade
World trade in ginger is estimated at $190 million per year. In-
dias share in ginger trade is only 6 per cent, while Chinas share is 57 per cent. In ginger oil and oleoresin trade India dominates with 50 per cent share. Garbled/ungarbled and bleached/unbleached variants occupy predominant position in ginger export. Cochin ginger is popular and it fetches a premium price because of its superior quality. The estimated world import of ginger is 300,000 tonnes per year. Indias share in
Market Survey
Table VI
ginger from India during 1997-98 to 2008-09. Global ginger export is shown in Table V . The main competitors in ginger export are China, Nigeria and Thailand. Country-wise export of Indian ginger is shown in Table VI.
Suggestions
Ginger cultivation can be improved provided the following measures are taken: 1. Introduce the HYV in ginger 2. Supply planting materials in time 3. Reduce the yield gap 4. Introduce short-duration variety 5. Popularise fresh ginger processing 6. Encourage organic ginger cultivation 7. Strengthen agricultural research
The author is head of Department of Economics at Dr Zakir Husain College, Ileyangudi, Tamil Nadu
ginger export is estimated at 13,000 tonnes per year, which is only two