Elephant Attacks, High Quality Fijian And Leasing Land For Ginger

Demand for Fijian ginger is on the increase according to the Fijian government. The ginger has a unique taste and, if harvested whilst relatively immature, is low in fibre. But these sought-after characteristics come at a price for the consumer and it is this high price which is making it difficult for Fiji to compete with cheaper Asian produce from countries like China. This sounds like a contradiction; on the one hand, increasing demand for the ginger, but on the other hand, the ginger is too expensive. So how is Fiji planning to reconcile this inconsistency? Well, the Fijian government response has been to advise exporters to focus more on the US and European markets (where Fijian ginger is already well received) and increase exports by 10% a year for the next three years. The increased demand will be met by government-funded workshops and training for existing and, crucially, new farmers.

Ginger farmers in the Napoklu district of Karnataka in India are keeping their fingers crossed. As they plant this year's ginger 'seed', the farmers will be remembering last year when it rained continuously and the rhizomes destined for harvest began to germinate in the soil. And as you can appreciate, germinating ginger does not have a market.

Elsewhere in Karnataka, The Hindu reported that many farmers are leasing their land to ginger farmers. The landowners have found that they would prefer a guaranteed income from a tenant farmer rather than take on the risk of growing crops themselves. Interestingly, some of these ginger farmers have come from the neighbouring state of Kerala, a state known internationally for producing high quality ginger.

Another report last week of an elephant attack in India. Two wild elephants entered a village and damaged a ginger farm. Fortunately no one was injured. These attacks seem to be occurring far more frequently in recent years. It is not unknown for attacks to result in human fatalities. I'm sure that I've read somewhere that man is to blame for the attacks. Elephants prefer a partially forested environment. Farmers have been clearing these forests and elephant corridors to create land for crops. This has resulted in elephants leaving their shrinking forest habitats in search of food and coming into contact with humans. It is difficult to know what to do. Some state governments are replanting on previously cleared land but I can't imagine that many farmers will volunteer to relinquish their farms.