Mizoram's Ginger Procurement Faces Challenges as Prices Drop
Ginger Procurement Issues in Mizoram
Aizawl, Feb 4: The Mizoram Government's initiative to buy ginger from local farmers through district agriculture marketing committees (DAMCs) has encountered difficulties for the second day in a row, as no buyers are willing to purchase the produce at the government-set reserve prices.
The procurement process, which is being implemented across all 11 districts via DAMCs, has not gained traction, with potential buyers from both within and outside the state rejecting the established reserve prices due to a significant decline in ginger prices in major markets nationwide.
Officials from the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department have reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 50 per kg for farmers.
However, the reserve prices set for buyers range from Rs 40 to Rs 45 per kg at various secondary collection centres (SCCs). An official noted, “Due to the current low prices in other parts of the country, buyers are unwilling to purchase ginger at these rates.”
Mizoram has 65 SCCs designated for the procurement, storage, and sale of ginger, but none have successfully attracted buyers willing to meet the reserve prices.
In Lunglei district, located in southern Mizoram, officials reported that buyers are only willing to pay up to Rs 32 per kg, stating that the DAMC's reserve price of Rs 41 is too high given the current market conditions.
A similar scenario is unfolding in Champhai district, which borders Myanmar and is anticipated to yield the highest ginger production in the state this season.
The DAMC has set a reserve price of Rs 43 per kg for the week, yet no buyers have emerged. Champhai is expected to produce over 82,175 quintals of ginger this year.
In Vairengte, a border town adjacent to Assam, the SCC has also seen no interest, with the reserve price set at Rs 45 per kg. Officials reported that not a single buyer has shown interest.
As ginger procurement stalls, farmers in Vairengte have opted to sell ‘Hmunphiah’ (broom grass or tiger grass) directly to buyers, bypassing government channels entirely.
Starting Monday, they began selling the fresh produce at Rs 50 per kg to buyers from Cachar district in Assam. Once dried, the stalks and flowers of broom grass are utilized to create household cleaning tools.
The state government has established an MSP of Rs 80 per kg for dried broom grass under its flagship support program.
Meanwhile, reports from various districts indicate that some private traders are directly purchasing ginger from farmers at prices ranging from Rs 27 to Rs 30 per kg, avoiding the DAMCs, primary collection centres, or SCCs.
Traders have noted that ginger is currently being sold for Rs 35 to Rs 37 per kg in Bagha town in Cachar district and Guwahati in Assam.