Context
The Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) recently launched the Mizoram Ginger Mission with an outlay of ₹189.79 crore to support ginger cultivation and related economic activities in the state.
About Ginger
- Ginger is a herbaceous perennial spice crop belonging to the Zingiberaceae family.
- India is the world’s largest producer of ginger, with major cultivation concentrated in Kerala, Odisha, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh.
- The crop grows well in warm and humid regions up to an altitude of about 1,500 metres and performs best at temperatures between 19°C and 28°C.
- It requires annual rainfall of around 1,500–2,500 mm or assured irrigation and cannot tolerate frost or prolonged drought conditions.
- Fertile, well-drained loam or sandy-loam soils rich in organic matter are considered ideal for its cultivation.
- Ginger is widely used in food preparations, beverages, confectionery products and preserves, apart from its medicinal applications.
- It contains antioxidant compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, and studies suggest that ginger supplementation may help reduce fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c and apolipoprotein-B levels.
