Shimla: Himachal Pradesh has produced a record 21,267 tonnes of ginger in 2010-11 with Sirmaur district alone accounting for 70 per cent of the production.
This was stated in the state assembly today by the chief minister P.K.Dhumal.
The crop is also grown in Solan,Shimla,Una,Chamba and Kullu districts he said.
In 2009-10,ginger production fell drastically due to drought and was only 14,900 tonnes as compared to 18,760 the year before that. It was 19,200 tonnes in 2007-08 the chief minister told the house.
He further said the state government was inviting private investment in food processing industries to promote ginger cultivation in the state.
“Private firms have been invited to set up agriculture and food processing units since Himachal is a leading producer of ginger in the region,†Dhumal said.
In a 20 year career published widely. He has worked for the BBC, AFP, The Statesman, IANS and the Business Standard . Known for his hard hitting writing and occasional off-beat stories. He lives in Shimla.