Official Portal - Agriculture Department

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Varieties

Varieties/Cultivars The important local varieties grown in the state are Bhaise, Gorubathane, Majhaule. Sowing time: Sowing is done from last week of February to March and it continues till April. Method of sowing spacing : Ginger is sown in lines in shallow pits on raised beds already prepared with a row to row distance of 30-45cm and plant to plant 15-20cm. Depending on the width of the beds, ginger is sown in 2-4 lines, when the crop is intercropped with maize the planting distance between rows is maintained at 60-90cm and Maize is sown in between the rows of ginger. Carefully preserved seed rhizomes are broken into small pieces 5 to 8cm length weighing 30-60-gm each having two to four good buds. Seed rate: Sikkim farmers use very high seed rate. Depending upon the varieties 25-30 quintal/ha or even more seed is sown. Many farmers sow full rhizomes with out breaking and the mother rhizomes are taken out and sold in the market later on. Intercrops with Ginger : Ginger is grown as pure crop or mixed with Maize, tapioca, French bean, chillies or okra. Majority of the farmers sow ginger as mixed crop while very few as sole crop. Intercropping with Maize is most common. The farmers of Sikkim are of the opinion that ginger comes better under shade and hence its cultivation is done in citrus and guava orchards also. Mulching : After sowing the ginger, beds are covered with dry leaves, straw or other plant residues which is a common practice in Sikkim . Some farmers cover the beds with green leaves and twigs of chillaune (Scheme walichii) or other forest plants. The amount of mulch varies from 5 to 10 tonnes/ha on dry basis. Farmers say, it gives heat to the beds, enhances germination. Reduces weeds, protects young emerging plants with heavy rain/hail storms and minimizes soil erosion. After decomposition, mulch provides nutrients to the soil and meets the need of growing plants. Weeding and Earthing : Due to heavy rain, weeds are the real problem in Sikkim. Depending upon weed growth and availability of laborers, 2-4 hand weeding is a common practice. After every weeding earthing is done to cover the exposed rhizomes. Many farmers are of the opinion that weeds not only compete for nutrients but many insect-pests and diseases harbors on it. Removal of Mother Rhizome : By the end of May to end of June, farmers take out the mother rhizome(Mau) leaving the sprouted bit of rhizome in the soil. According to them it gives proper space to the developing rhizomes and extra income during off-season. They say, almost equal quantity, whatsoever sown, they get back. Though it is of inferior quality and fetch comparatively less price.