Young professionals carry cardamom success from East to West Nepal

A week-long learning mission under FAO’s One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative brought together the government agricultural officers and young researchers for an immersive journey into Nepal’s large cardamom heartland. Through field visits in Ilam and Jhapa, the group explored how decades of experience in Eastern Nepal can guide the crop’s expansion into the western districts of Syangja, Baglung and Myagdi. 

Large cardamom is a globally recognized spice that holds immense potential for climate-smart livelihoods, value-added exports, and premium international markets. The visit offered an end-to-end understanding of the cardamom, from science and farming practices to markets and processing, equipping the next generation of professionals with practical insights to support its sustainable growth. 

The journey began at the Cardamom Development Center (CDC) in Fikkal, where participants were introduced to the scientific backbone of cardamom cultivation. Technical teams guided them through the nursery management, explaining how regulation of shade and irrigation, sanitation and careful varietal selection produce healthy planting material. Inside the tissue culture laboratory, young researchers observed micropropagation and quality control processes that preserve genetic purity and build long-term farmer resilience. The visit made clear how quality planting material shapes the success of the entire value chain. 

Field visit. ©FAO

 
From the laboratory to the field, the mission continued in Rong Rural Municipality. Interactions with local leaders, agriculture staff and farmers offered a grounded perspective on how large cardamom became a cornerstone of local livelihoods. Participants walked through productive orchards, observing shade tree management, soil health practices and early disease identification in real production settings. The use of GIS-based traceability and digital mapping showed how modern technology is being woven into traditional farming systems, offering adaptable solutions for Western Nepal.  

To connect production with market realities, the group met with the Federation of Large Cardamom Entrepreneurs Nepal (FLCEN). Discussions shed light on Nepal’s trade corridors, export standards, price trends and shifting global demand. Participants learned how collective marketing, grading systems and strong industry coordination help farmers secure fair prices and reduce market risks. For young researchers in particular, the exchange sharpened their understanding of how market dynamics influence decisions made at farm level.

At local collection centres, officers and researchers followed the journey of cardamom from farm to trader. They saw how grading based on colour, size and moisture content directly affects value, and how careful post-harvest handling prevents losses and builds buyer confidence. These insights highlighted the importance of investing in improved post-harvest systems to strengthen competitiveness in Western Nepal. 

The learning mission concluded at Everest Large Cardamom Industries Pvt. Ltd., where participants observed how raw cardamom is transformed into value-added products such as teas, spice blends, essential oils and pearls. Walking through cleaning, calendaring, packaging and quality control processes illustrated how processing facilities can significantly increase farmers’ incomes and open doors to new markets. The exposure reinforced the need for similar infrastructure to support cardamom expansion in the West Nepal.  

GIS station (left), and large cardamom products (right). ©FAO

A new generation shaping the future of large cardamom

Throughout the mission, young officers and researchers were at the centre of the learning process. They asked sharp questions, documented best practices and critically compared Eastern experience with Western realities of the country. Their active engagement brought fresh energy to discussions on pest and disease management, extension services, livelihoods and market integration. 

The exposure visit marked a meaningful moment of knowledge exchange under the OCOP initiative, linking Eastern Nepal’s rich experience with the aspirations of the western hills. By strengthening technical capacity and deepening understanding of the full value chain, the mission helped lay the groundwork for scaling large cardamom as a high-value livelihood opportunity. With young professionals leading the way, OCOP is supporting a new generation ready to take Nepal’s traditional specialty into new geographic and economic frontiers.